U.S.A. Report on a project on conservation and natural resources. Cited the definition of ecosystem proposed in (Ostroumov, 2002).

SOMERSET COUNTY NATURAL HERITAGE INVENTORY. Prepared for: The Somerset County Planning Commission, 300 N. Center Avenue, Suite 540, Somerset, PA 15501; Prepared by: Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, 209 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222; January 2006, 132 p. [ This project was funded through grants supplied by the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Office of Wild Resource Conservation, the Pennsylvania Game Commission State Wildlife Grant Program, and the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy; Copies of this report are available in electronic format through Western Pennsylvania Conservancys Web site www.paconserve.org and through the Somerset County Planning Commission] http://www.wpconline.org/rc/pdfs/Somerset%20Final.pdf Page 2 Page 3 i PREFACE The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) served as the principal investigator and prepared the report and maps for this study. Established in 1932, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is a private nonprofit conservation organization headquartered in Pittsburgh. WPCs mission is to save the places we care about by connecting people to the natural world. As part of its mission, WPC works to sustain the natural heritage of the Commonwealth: its native plant, animal, and habitat resources. To reach its goals, WPC initiates conservation projects independently and establishes partnerships with agencies and organizations having similar interests. Along with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), WPC is a partner in the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) that is responsible for collecting, tracking and interpreting information regarding the Commonwealths biological diversity. County inventory projects are an important part of the work of PNHP. Additionally,

PNHP is a member of NatureServe, the organization that coordinates Natural Heritage efforts through an international network of member programs (known as natural heritage programs or conservation data center), operating in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. The ability of a community to bring its vision for the future to fruition depends on its capacity to assemble information that will enable it to act effectively and wisely. Since 1989, county inventory projects have served as a way to both gather new information and to pass along new and existing information to those responsible for land use decisions as well as to all residents who wish to know more about the natural heritage of their county. This Natural Heritage Inventory focuses on the best examples of living ecological resources in Somerset County. Historic, cultural, educational, water supply, agricultural and scenic resources are among the many that the county must address through other projects and programs. Although the inventory was conducted using a tested and proven methodology, it is best viewed as a preliminary report rather than the final word on the subject of Somerset Countys natural heritage. Further investigations could, and likely will, uncover previously unidentified areas of significance. Likewise, indepth investigations of sites listed in this report could reveal features of further or greater significance than have been documented. We encourage additional inventory work across the county to further the efforts begun with this study. Consider the inventory as an invitation for the people of Somerset County to explore and discuss their natural heritage and to learn about and participate in the conservation of the living resources of the county. Ultimately, it will be up to the landowners and residents of Somerset County to determine how to

use this information. Some considerations of the application of this information for a number of groups follow: Planners and Government Staff. Typically, the planning office in a county administers county inventory projects. Often, the inventories are used in conjunction with other resource information (agricultural areas, slope and soil overlays, floodplain maps, etc.) in review for various projects and in comprehensive planning. Natural Heritage Areas may be included under various categories of zoning, such as conservation or forest zones, within parks and greenways, and even within agricultural security areas. There are many possibilities to provide for the conservation of Natural Heritage Areas within the context of public amenities, recreational opportunities and resource management. County, State and Federal Agencies. In many counties, Natural Heritage Areas lie within or include state or federal lands. Agencies such as the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, and the Army Corp of Engineers can use the inventory to understand the extent of the resource. Agencies can also learn the requirements of the individual plant, animal, or community elements, and the general approach that protection could assume. County Conservation Districts may use the inventories to Page 4 ii focus attention on resources (e.g. high diversity streams or wetlands) and as a reference in encouraging good management practices. Environmental and Development Consultants. Environmental consultants are called upon to plan for a multitude of development projects including road construction, housing developments, commercial

enterprises and infrastructure expansion. Design of these projects requires that all resources impacted be known and understood. Decisions made with inadequate information can lead to substantial and costly delays. County Natural Heritage Inventories provide a first look at biological resources, including plants and animals listed as rare, threatened or endangered in Pennsylvania and in the nation. Consultants can therefore see potential conflicts long before establishing footprints or developing detailed plans and before applying for permits. This allows projects to change early on when flexibility is at a maximum. Environmental consultants are increasing called upon to produce resource plans (e.g., River Conservation Plans) that must integrate a variety of biological, physical and social information. County Natural Heritage Inventories can help define watershed-level resources and priorities for conservation. Developers. Working with environmental consultants, developers can consider options for development that add value and protect key resources. Incorporating greenspaces, wetlands and forest buffers into various kinds of development can attract homeowners and businesses that desire to have natural amenities nearby. Just as parks have traditionally raised property values, so too can natural areas. County Natural Heritage Inventories can suggest opportunities where development and conservation can complement one another. Educators. Curricula in primary, secondary and college level classes often focus on biological science at the chemical or microbiological level. Field sciences do not always receive the attention that they deserve. Natural areas can provide unique opportunities for students to witness, first-hand, the organisms and natural communities that are critical to maintaining biological diversity. Teachers can use County Natural

Heritage Inventories to show students where and why local and regional diversity occur and to aid in curriculum development for environment and ecology academic standards. With proper permission and arrangements, students can visit Natural Heritage Areas and establish appropriate research or monitoring projects. Conservation Organizations. Organizations that have as part of their missions the conservation of biological diversity can turn to the inventory as a source of prioritized places in the county. Such a reference can help guide internal planning and define the essential resources that can be the focus of protection efforts. Land trusts and conservancies throughout Pennsylvania have made use of the inventories to do just this sort of planning and prioritization, and are now engaged in conservation efforts on highly significant sites in individual counties and regions. Page 5 iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to acknowledge the many citizens and landowners of the county and surrounding areas who volunteered information, time, and effort to the inventory and granted permission to access land. We especially thank: Brad Zearfoss, Somerset County Planning Director Somerset County Planning Commission Dr. Carol Loeffler, pilot for the aerial reconnaissance of the county David Steele, USDA Southern Alleghenies Resource Conservation and Development Area Richard Sturtz, Somerset County landowner and amateur botanist Gene Wilhelm, Botanist extraordinaire and Somerset County landowner Bonny Isaac, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Botany Section

Robert Mulvihill, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Powdermill Preserve Somerset County Natural Heritage Inventory Advisory Committee including: Lester Brunell, Somerset County Conservancy Don Egolf, University of Pittsburgh and Somerset County landowner Jim Greco, Cambria-Somerset Water Authority Chris McCann, DCNR, Bureau of Forestry Susan Moon, Somerset County Conservation District Jeff Payne, Allegheny Plateau Audubon Society Harold Shaulis, Somerset County Farm Bureau Ed Thompson, Maryland DNR Wildlife Biologist and Somerset County landowner We would also like to thank the Pennsylvania Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources and Community and Economic Development, the Pennsylvania Game Commission State Wildlife Grant Program, and the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy for providing the funding to make this report possible. A very special thank-you goes out to the people of Somerset County for their interest and hospitality. We want to recognize the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program and NatureServe for providing the foundation for the work that we perform for these studies. Additionally, this report has incorporated ideas and approaches developed for conservation science initiatives recently undertaken in other states, most notably the Massachusetts BioMap project and the Maryland Green Infrastructure project. We gratefully acknowledge the vision of these projects for providing the basis for improved ways to represent conservation information in the County Natural Heritage Inventory reports. Without the support and help from these people and organizations, the inventory would not have seen completion. We encourage comments and questions. The success of the report will be measured by the

use it receives and the utility it serves to those making decisions about resources and land use throughout the county. Thank you for your interest. Rita Y. Hawrot Ecologist Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Page 6 iv Page 7 v TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE.... i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.. iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... vii INTRODUCTION.. 1 OVERVIEW OF SOMERSET COUNTY NATURAL FEATURES..... 3 Physiology & Geology... 3 Soils.... 4 Vegetation... 6 Disturbance..... 8 Natural Resources ...... 9 NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS & CONSERVATION PLANNING CATEGORIES.... 10 METHODS.... 11 Site Selection 11 Ground Survey.. 11 Data Analysis.... 11 RESULTS Biological Diversity Areas (listed by municipality) . 14

Addison Township & Borough... 17 Allegheny Township, New Baltimore Borough. 21 Black Township..... 27 Brothersvalley Township, Berlin Borough... ... 33 Conemaugh Township, Benson Borough.. 39 Elk Lick Township.. ... 43 Fairhope Township & Borough..... 57 Greenville Township..... 61 Jefferson Township....... 65 Jenner Township, Boswell Borough, Jennerstown Borough..... 71 Larimer Township, Callimont Borough..... ..77 Lincoln Township ..... 81 Lower Turkeyfoot Township, Confluence Borough, Ursina Borough.. .. 85 Middlecreek Township, Seven Springs Borough... ... 97 Milford Township, New Centerville Borough, Rockwood Borough...103 Northampton Township....107 Ogle Township....... 111 Paint Township & Borough, Windber Borough... .. 117 Quemahoning Township, Hooversville Borough, Stoystown Borough.. .....121 Shade Township, Central City Borough..... 125

Somerset Township and Borough..... 131 Southampton Township, Wellersburg Borough.. 137 Stonycreek Township, Indian Lake Borough, Shanksville Borough... ... 141 Summit Township, Garrett Borough, Meyersdale Borough... .. 151 Upper Turkeyfoot Township, Casselman Borough..159 Page 8 vi Landscape Conservation Areas.. 165 Important Bird Areas...... 172 Important Mammal Areas... 174 RECOMMENDATIONS.179 GLOSSARY 183 LITERATURE CITED . 185 APPENDICES Appendix I: Significance Ranks... 191 Appendix II: Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program.. 192 Appendix III: CNHI Site Survey Form.. 193 Appendix IV: Natural Community Classification.. 194 Appendix V: Status of Species.. 199 a. Federal Status.... 199 b. Pennsylvania Status... 199 c. Global & State Element Ranks.. 201

Appendix VI: Animals of Special Concern in Somerset County.... ..203 Appendix VII: Plants of Special Concern in Somerset County... . 204 Appendix VIII: Sustainable Forestry Information Sources... . 205 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Natural Heritage Areas categorized by significance..... ix Table 2. Soil associations of Somerset County. ... 5 Table 3. Examples of natural & anthropogenic Disturbance.. . 8 Table 4. Percent land-use cover by township. 15 Table 5. Ownership of lands within Landscape Conservation Areas... 169 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Physiographic provinces of Somerset County.. 4 Figure 2. Biological Diversity Areas, Landscape Conservation Areas, and Important Bird and Mammal Areas in Somerset County... 13 Figure 3. Forested areas of Pennsylvania before (a) and after fragmentation by interstates, state and local roads, active railroads, and utility right-of-ways (b)..... 166 Figure 4. Contiguous forested areas in Somerset County.. . 168 LIST OF FACT SHEETS Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis). 25 Mountain bellwort (Uvularia pudica).. 56 Mountain bugbane (Cimicifuga americana). ...... 90

Large-flowered marshallia (Marshallia grandiflora).. . 96 Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)... 136 Frasers sedge (Cymophyllus fraserianus) . 144 Appalachian blue violet (Viola appalachiensis). 149 Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister).... 158 Rogers clubtail (Gomphus rogersi) 163 Longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus).. ... .. 164 Page 9 vii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction Our natural environment is key to human health and sustenance. A healthy environment provides clean air and water; supports fish, game and agriculture; and furnishes renewable sources of materials for countless aspects of our livelihoods and economy. The first steps in ensuring protection of our natural environment are to recognize environmentally sensitive or ecologically important areas and determine their importance. A County Natural Heritage Inventory is designed to identify and map important biotic (living) and ecological resources. This information helps county, state, and municipal government; the public, and

business and industry plan development with the preservation of these environmentally important sites in mind. Biotic/ecological resources inherited by the citizens of this region include: Lands that support important components of Pennsylvanias native species biodiversity Populations of species that are facing imperilment at a state and/or global level, and their habitats Natural communities (assemblages of plants and animals) that are regionally important to biodiversity because they are exceptionally undisturbed and/or unique within the state Areas important for wildlife habitat, open space, education, scientific study, and recreation Areas that have been left relatively undisturbed by human activity Potential habitats for species of special concern The identification and delineation of Natural Heritage Areas are based on the ecological values present. Important selection criteria include the existence of habitat for plants and animals of special concern, the existence of ecologically significant natural communities, and the size and landscape context of a site.

Large, relatively undisturbed areas provide the backbone that links habitats and provide corridors for plants and animals. Although agricultural lands and open space may be included as part of inventory areas, the focus rests on areas that are the best examples of biotic/ecological resources in Somerset County. Natural Heritage Inventory Classification To provide the information necessary to plan for conservation of biodiversity at the species, community, and ecosystem levels, two types of Natural Heritage Areas, as well as designations from two other sources, are included in the report. Natural Heritage Areas Biological Diversity Area (BDA): An area containing plants or animals of special concern at state or federal levels, exemplary natural communities, or exceptional native diversity. BDAs include both the immediate habitat and surrounding lands important in the support of these special elements. Conservation Planning Application: BDAs are mapped according to their sensitivity to human activities. Core areas delineate essential habitat that cannot absorb significant levels of activity without substantial impact to the elements of

concern. Supporting Natural Landscape include areas that maintain vital ecological processes or secondary habitat that may be able to accommodate some types of lowimpact activities. Landscape Conservation Area (LCA): A large contiguous area that is important because of its size, open space, habitats, and/or inclusion of one or more BDAs. Although an LCA includes a variety of land uses, it typically has not been heavily disturbed and thus retains much of its natural character. Conservation Planning Application: These large regions in relatively natural condition can be viewed as regional assets; they Page 10 viii improve quality of life by providing a landscape imbued with a sense of beauty and wilderness, they provide a sustainable economic base, and their high ecological integrity offers unique capacity to support biodiversity and human health. Planning and stewardship efforts can preserve these functions of the landscape by limiting the overall amount of land converted to other uses, thereby minimizing fragmentation of these areas.

Important Bird Areas (IBA): The Pennsylvania Audubon Society administers the Pennsylvania IBA Program and defines an IBA as a site that is part of a global network of places recognized for their outstanding value to bird conservation. An IBA can be large or small, public or private and must meet one of several criteria (http://pa.audubon.org/Ibamain.htm). Conservation Planning Application: Planning for these areas should consider how best to maintain their value as bird habitat. The value of some large-scale IBAs may be due to the forest interior habitat contained within them; thus, the recommendations for LCA stewardship to minimize fragmentation are applicable. Natural communities that have a particular habitat value for birds (e.g., wetland) are typically the basis for smaller-scale IBAs; therefore, a high degree of protection should be given to these sites. Conservation plans are in the process of being completed for all IBAs in the state. Important Mammal Areas (IMA): The Important Mammal Areas Project (IMAP) is being carried out by a broad based alliance of sportsmen, conservation

organizations, wildlife professionals, and scientists. Areas nominated must fulfill at least one of five criteria developed by the Mammal Technical Committee of the Pennsylvania Biological Survey (http://www.pawildlife.org/imap.htm). Conservation Planning Application: Planning for these areas should consider how best to maintain their value as mammal habitat. The value of these sites may be associated with high mammalian diversity, high-density populations, occurrence of species of special concern, or educational potential. Stewardship plans are in the process of being completed for all IMAs in the state. Methods Forty county inventories have been completed in Pennsylvania to date. The Somerset County Natural Heritage Inventory followed the same methodologies as previous inventories, which proceeded in the following stages: site selection ground survey data analysis Site Selection A review of the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) database (see Appendix II) determined where sites for special concern

species and important natural communities were known to exist in Somerset County. Knowledgeable individuals were consulted concerning the occurrence of rare plants and unique natural communities in the county. Geological maps, USGS topographical maps, National Wetlands Inventory maps, USDA soil surveys, recent aerial photos, and published materials were also used to identify areas of potential ecological significance (Reschke 1990). Once preliminary site selection was completed, reconnaissance flights over chosen areas of the county were conducted. Wetlands were of primary interest during fly-overs in Somerset County. Ground Survey Areas identified as potential sites were scheduled for ground surveys. After obtaining permission from landowners, sites were examined to evaluate the condition and quality of the habitat and to classify the communities present. Field survey forms (Appendix III, pg. 193) were completed for each site. The flora, fauna, level of disturbance, approximate age of Page 11 ix community and local threats were among the most important data recorded for each site. In cases where permission to visit a site was not

granted, when enough information was available from other sources, or when time did not permit, sites were not ground surveyed. Data Analysis Data obtained during the 2002 and 2003 field seasons was combined with prior existing data and summarized. All sites with species or communities of statewide concern, as well as exceptional examples of more common natural communities were selected as Biological Diversity Areas (BDAs). Spatial data on the elements of concern were then compiled in a geographic information system (GIS) format using ESRI ArcView 3.2a software. The boundaries defining each BDA were based on physical and ecological factors, and specifications for species protection provided by jurisdictional government agencies. The BDAs were then assigned a significance rank based on size, condition, rarity of the unique feature, and quality of the surrounding landscape (see Appendix I, pg. 191 for further description of ranks). Landscape Conservation Areas were designated around landscape features that provide a uniting element within a collection of BDAs, or large blocks of contiguous forest identified using GIS-based spatial analysis. County municipalities served as the organizing unit for the data.

Results Eighty areas of ecological significance are recognized in the Somerset County Natural Heritage Inventory (Table 1). This includes 72 Biological Diversity Areas and 8 Landscape Conservation Areas that are categorized according to their significance to the protection of the biological diversity and ecological integrity of the region (Table 1). Significance ranks are exceptional, high, notable, and county (for a full explanation of these ranks, see Appendix I, pg. 191. Table 1. Natural Heritage Areas categorized by significance. Site Municipality Description Page No. Exceptional Significance Big Savage Mountain LCA Fairhope Township, Northampton Township, Southampton Township Landscape containing contiguous forest covering an area greater than 6,000 acres and includes one BDA and half of a second. 170 Big Spring Run BDA Addison Township, Elk Lick Township

Landscape that contains a spring run community that provide habitat for creeping bluets, a plant species of special concern. 46 Blue Hole Run BDA Middlecreek Township, Seven Springs Borough Riparian forest along Blue Hole Run, an exceptional value stream in the Forbes State Forest, that supports two plant species of special concern. 99 Buck Swamp BDA Somerset Township, Stonycreek Township Red maple-black ash swamp community and graminoid marsh that support populations of stiff cowbane and purple-fringeless orchid, plant species of special concern. 145 Christner Bog BDA Elk Lick Township An open, nonglacial bog in the Forbes State Forest Mt Davis Natural Area and adjacent roadside occupied by an animal species of concern and two plant species of special concern. 47 Clear Shade Creek LCA Ogle Township, Paint Township,

Shade Township Landscape containing contiguous forest covering an area greater than 9,000 acres, two BDAs, and an exceptional value stream. 170 Page 12 x Table 1. (continued) Site Municipality Description Page No. Exceptional Significance Crumb Bog BDA Ogle Township, Shade Township Piney Run, an exceptional value stream, with associated sphagnum bog that supports two plant species of special concern. 128 Fairhope Slopes BDA Fairhope Township Forested ridgetop that provides habitat for the globally rare Allegheny woodrat and abandoned mine that serves as a bat hibernaculum. 59 Glade Mountain LCA Addison Township, Black Township,

Elk Lick Township Landscape containing contiguous forest covering an area greater than 10,000 acres, and three BDAs and half of a second. 169 Humbert Floodplain BDA Lower Turkeyfoot Township, Upper Turkeyfoot Township Habitats along Laurel Hill Creek supporting populations of the globally rare Appalachian blue violet, and state rare mountain bugbane and stiff cowbane. 92 Isers Run BDA Black Township, Elk Lick Township Exceptional value stream and floodplain habitat occupied by five species of special concern. 30 Jones Mill Run BDA Jefferson Township, Middlecreek Township, Seven Springs Borough Exceptional value stream in the Forbes State Forest occupied by two plant species of special concern, and an animal species of concern. 67 Kimberly Run Natural Area

BDA Somerset Township Natural Area owned by Somerset County Conservancy that contains streambank and alluvial floodplain habitats occupied by three species of special concern. 133 Laurel Hill Creek LCA Lower Turkeyfoot Township, Upper Turkeyfoot Township Landscape containing contiguous forest covering an area greater than 5,000 acres and one BDA. 169 Mt Davis BDA Elk Lick Township Highest ridgetop in Pennsylvania that supports the globally rare Allegheny woodrat and Tennessee goldenrod, a plant species of special concern. 50 Negro Mountain/ Casselman River Mine BDA Black Township, Summit Township Habiat that support the globally rare Allegheny woodrat and mine that is used as a bat hibernaculum for the globally rare eastern small-footed myotis and state rare northern myotis. 155 S. Penn RR Tunnel

Allegheny Mountain BDA Allegheny Township, Stonycreek Township Old railroad tunnel that is used as a bat hibernaculum for the federally endangered Indiana bat and the northern myotis, a state species of concern. 23 Salisbury Mine Site BDA Elk Lick Township, Greenville Township Abandoned limestone mine that is used as a hibernaculum by three bat species: the federally endangered Indiana bat, the globally rare eastern smallfooted myotis, and the state rare northern myotis. 52 Sand Spring Ridge BDA Greenville Township, Summit Township Forested ridgetop along the Allegheny Front that supports an extensive population of mountain bellwort, a plant species of special concern; gray comma, a rare butterfly; and an animal species of state concern. 63 Page 13 xi Table 1. (continued) Site Municipality Description

Page No. Exceptional Significance Sand Spring Ridge LCA Brothersvalley Township, Elk Lick Township, Greenville Township, Larimer Township, Northampton Township, Summit Township Landscape containing several patches of contiguous forest covering a total area greater than 10,000 acres, and three BDAs and half of a fourth. 170 State Game Land #42 LCA Conemaugh Township, Jenner Township Landscape containing contiguous forest covering an area greater than 10,000 acres and two exceptional value streams. 170 State Game Land #104 LCA Allegheny Township, FairhopeTownship Landscape containing contiguous forest covering an area greater than 10,000 acres and half of one BDA. 171 State Game Land #228 LCA Allegheny Township, Shade Township

Landscape containing contiguous forest covering an area greater than 5,000 acres and two BDAs. 171 Youghiogheny River BDA Lower Turkeyfoot Township Rocky, flood-scoured flats, moist channels, alluvial islands, and steep forested slopes along the river that supports five plant species of special concern and the globally rare Allegheny woodrat. 93 High Significance Barronvale BDA Middlecreek Township Habitat for Appalachian blue violet, a globally rare plant species. 99 Big Savage Mountain BDA Larimer Township, Southampton Township Swampy, open woods bordered by upland forest that supports two plant species of special concern. 139 Blue Lick Creek BDA Summit Township Blue Lick Creek and adjacent forest that provide habitat for an animal species of special concern and Fraser's sedge, a plant species of special concern. 153

Buckstown Swamp BDA Indian Lake Borough, Stonycreek Township Seepage wetland habitat occupied by Appalachian blue violet, a plant species of global and state concern. 145 Card Machine Run Marsh BDA Jenner Township Shrub swamp habitat occupied by purple-fringeless orchid, a plant species of special concern. 73 Casselman Tributary Slopes BDA Summit Township Rich, mesic, forested slopes that provide habitat for Fraser's sedge, a plant species of special concern. 154 Clear Run BDA Indian Lake Borough, Stonycreek Township Rich, mesic, forested slope along Clear Run occupied by Fraser's sedge, a plant species of special concern. 146 Coal Run Trail BDA Shade Township Forested ridgetop on State Game Land #228 that supports a population of mountain bellwort, a plant species of special concern. 127 Cranberry Glade Lake BDA

Lower Turkeyfoot Township Shallow reservoir that support a nesting pair of the state threatened Osprey and an animal species of concern. 91 Garrett Mud Flats BDA Brothersvalley Township A reclaimed surface mine managed for grassland habitat that supports a breeding pair of Upland Sandpipers, a state threatened bird species and purplefringeless orchid, a plant species of special concern. 35 Page 14 xii Table 1. (continued) Site Municipality Description Page No. High Significance Glessner Wetland Complex BDA Jenner Township, Jennerstown Borough An extensive wetland community complex containing shrub swamp/graminoid habitats that supports a population of state rare purple-fringeless orchid, and two animal species of concern. 74

High Point Lake BDA Elk Lick Township A spring run community that supports white monkshood, a plant species of global and state concern. 48 High Point Lake Road BDA Elk Lick Township Roadside habitat that is occupied by Tennessee goldenrod, a plant species of special concern. 49 Indian Lake West BDA Stonycreek Township Floodplain forest that provides habitat for Appalachian blue violet, a plant species of global and state concern. 145 Jennerstown Marsh BDA Jenner Township, Jennerstown Borough Marsh formed by drainage of an old reservoir that provides habitat for purple-fringeless orchid, a plant species of special concern. 73 Jimtown BDA Jefferson Township Habitat for Appalachian blue violet, a plant species of global and state concern. 68 Keystone Clay Mine BDA Greenville Township,

Larimer Township, Summit Township Abandoned mine site that is used as a bat hibernaculum for northern myotis, an animal species of special concern. 155 Lake Somerset BDA Somerset Township Shallow reservoir that support a nesting pair of Ospreys, a state threatened bird species, and provide habitat for thousands of migratory waterfowl. 134 Laurel Hill State Park BDA Jefferson Township, Middlecreek Township Open floodplain forest of Laurel Hill Creek occupied by four plant species of special concern. 101 Laurel Hill Tunnel BDA Jefferson Township Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike tunnel that is used as a bat hibernaculum for the globally rare eastern small-footed myotis and state rare northern myotis. 69 McClintock Run BDA Addison Township Streambank habitat supporting creeping bluets, a plant species of special concern. 19

Old Fish Hatchery Spring BDA Elk Lick Township Seepage wetland habitat occupied by the globally rare Appalachian blue violet; creeping bluets, a plant species of state concern; and an animal species of special concern. 51 Ringer Hill BDA Elk Lick Township Forested upper slope of Ringer Hill that supports a population of mountain bellwort, a state rare plant species. 52 Savage Mountain Ridgetop BDA Northampton Township Rocky, forested ridgetop that provides habitat for Allegheny plum, a tree species of special concern. 109 Shanksville Park BDA Stonycreek Township Habitat for Appalachian blue violet, a global and state rare plant species. 145 Shingle Run Wetland BDA Shade Township Headwater shrub/graminoid wetland community occupied by yellow-fringed orchid, a species of state concern. 129 Page 15

xiii Table 1. (continued) Site Municipality Description Page No. High Significance Spruce Flats Bog BDA Cook Township, Lincoln Township Nonglacial bog community that supports bushy St. John's wort, a state rare plant species. 83 Town Line Run Headwaters BDA Addison Township, Black Township Island in center of Town Line Run that supports a population of kidney-leaved twayblade, a plant species of special concern. 20 Tub Mill Run BDA Elk Lick Township Habitat for Appalachian blue violet, a global and state rare plant species. 54 Upper Tub Mill Run BDA Elk Lick Township Stream and adjacent riparian habitat occupied by the

southern water shrew, an animal species of special concern. 54 Wills Creek BDA Northampton Township Habitat occupied by an animal species of special concern. 109 Wolf Rock Road BDA Elk Lick Township Roadside habitat that is occupied by Tennessee goldenrod, a plant species of special concern. 49 Notable Significance Allegheny Highlands Trail at Harnedsville BDA Addison Township, Confluence Borough, Lower Turkeyfoot Township Variety of habitats adjacent to a stretch of the Allegheny Highlands Trail unpaved path that supports four plant species of special concern. 87 Allegheny Highlands Trail at Rockwood BDA Black Township Habitat adjacent to the Allegheny Highlands Trail (rails to trails) unpaved path that supports mountain bugbane, a plant species of special concern in the state.

29 Boone Run BDA Stonycreek Township Lower slopes near Boone Run providing habitat for mountain bugbane, a plant species of special concern. 143 Casselman River at Fort Hill BDA Addison Township, Upper Turkeyfoot Township Open floodplain forest and lower slopes along the Casselman River that support a population of Carolina tassel-rue, a plant species of special concern. 161 Clear Shade Creek BDA Ogle Township Habitat occupied by an animal species of concern and an exceptional value stream. 113 Confluence Valley BDA Confluence Borough Open floodplain forest that supports a population of Carolina tassel-rue, a plant species of state concern. 88 Flaugherty Creek BDA Larimer Township, Meyersdale Borough, Summit Township

Aquatic habitat occupied by an animal species of special concern. 154 Gallitzin State Forest Grassland BDA Ogle Township Grassland habitat on a reclaimed surface mine that supports nesting pairs of two bird species of special concern; Short-eared Owl and Northern Harrier. 114 Indiantown Slopes BDA Jefferson Township Habitat for mountain bugbane, a plant species of special concern. 67 Mt Carmel Church BDA Larimer Township Roadside habitat that is occupied by Tennessee goldenrod, a plant species of special concern. 79 Page 16 xiv Table 1. (continued) Site Municipality Description Page No. Notable Significance Murdock Quarry BDA

Black Township Abandoned surface mine on the western mid-slope of Negro Mountain occupied by a special animal of concern. 31 Pickings Run BDA Jenner Township Forested riparian habitat supporting a large population of mountain bugbane, a plant species of special concern. 75 Shafer Run BDA Jefferson Township Forested slope on the Forbes State Forest that supports mountain bugbane, a plant species of special concern. 67 South Glade Creek Wetlands BDA Milford Township Shrub/graminoid wetland habitat adjacent to maintained pipeline right-of-way occupied by purplefringeless orchid and stiff cowbane, species of special concern. 105 Stonycreek River Shrub Wetland BDA Brothersvalley Township Shrub swamp habitat adjacent to maintained pipeline right-of-way occupied by stiff cowbane, a plant species of special concern.

36 Tubs Run Wetland BDA Brothersvalley Township Palustrine emergent wetland and wet meadow adjacent to maintained pipeline right-of-way occupied by stiff cowbane, a plant species of special concern. 36 County Significance Boone Run Tributary BDA Stonycreek Township Remnant strip of hemlock-northern hardwood forest that is occupied by Fraser's sedge, a plant species of special concern. 143 Clear Shade Creek Headwater Wetlands BDA Ogle Township Extensive wetland complex within the Gallitzin State Forest containing a series of headwater wetland communities. 113 Gallitzin State Forest Inholdings BDA Paint Township Northern conifer swamp community and adjacent wetlands on Bureau of Forestry land. 119 Laurel Run BDA Larimer Township Exceptional value stream

79 Mile Run Headwaters BDA Ogle Township Nonglacial bog and high quality northern conifer forest within upper watershed of Mile Run. 115 Route 56 Wetland BDA Ogle Township High quality nonglacial bog community. 115 S. Penn RR Tunnel Berlin BDA Brothersvalley Township, Somerset Township, Stonycreek Township Old railroad tunnel that is used as a bat hibernaculum for over 100 bats. 147 The Glades BDA Brothersvalley Township, Stonycreek Township Extensive shrub swamp community along Stonycreek River adjacent to upland fields that supports a community of marsh and grassland bird species. 148 Page 17 xv Discussion and Recommendations Status of natural features today

The landscape and waterways of Somerset County have undergone considerable change over the course of human settlement, most notably from timber extraction, mining, and agriculture. During the timber boom in the early twentieth century, much of the forest in the county underwent general clear-cutting, and subsequently widespread fires. Mining began with deep mine excavation and transitioned to mostly surface mining operations as mining technology developed. Surface mining has been extensive in certain parts of the county, resulting in an environmental transformation of a large proportion of the county land. Another legacy of mining is widespread water pollution that seriously impairs aquatic ecosystems in many of the countys waterways. Throughout the county, the condition of ecological resources today closely reflects the history of human land use. Forest Communities. Natural communities have redeveloped across large swaths of the landscape previously used for timber extraction, coal mining, and clay mining. Along Laurel Mountain and the Allegheny Front, large areas of contiguous forest provide abundant habitat for forest dwelling species. These forested areas also help to maintain water quality in streams; five out of six Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) designated

exceptional value streams are within these areas. The condition of forest communities varies across the county. While many areas have regenerated into a broad spectrum of natural forest communities, some areas remain fragmented by roads, surface mined areas, artificial clearings, and utility rights-of-way. Additionally, over-browsing by deer poses a threat to biological diversity and forest regeneration in many regions of the county. Despite the variable condition of the forests, their contiguity is a great asset to the countys ecological integrity and is regionally important in sustaining mid-Atlantic populations for many animal species. Contiguous forested areas offer enhanced habitat value over fragmented forested areas. While a number of generalist species can succeed and reproduce in small patches of forest, many species can only utilize large, unbroken tracts of forest. Because several of the forested areas in Somerset County today are large and contiguous, they support species which are declining in other areas of the state and the continent due to lack of habitat. The forests of Somerset County have the potential for even greater contribution to biodiversity in the future. Some species can only find appropriate habitat in old-growth forests, because the structures they need for shelter or

the food sources they require are not present in younger forests. While there are few areas in Somerset County today that are considered old growth, the large expanses of younger forests provide the potential for future development of this habitat type. Wetland/aquatic communities. Within the matrix of forest in the county, unique communities including forested seepage wetlands, headwaters shrub swamps, and vernal pools occur in conjunction with specific topographic or geologic conditions. Although these communities occupy a comparatively small portion of the natural landscape, they are of particular value to the countys biodiversity because of the species they support. Groups of specialist speciessuch as amphibians that breed only in vernal ponds, or plant species that live only in acidic wetlandsthat would otherwise not be present in the county inhabit these communities. Due to the impacts of acid deposition and extensive mining in a landscape of naturally acidic geology, most of the countys streams have low pH and support aquatic ecosystems that range from slightly impaired to nearly devoid of life. One-half of Pennsylvanias wetlands have been lost or substantially degraded. Wetland and aquatic species that

depend on these habitats are correspondingly declining. Grassland communities. Historically, most of the Northeast was forested except for scattered openings that existed along river floodplains, wetlands, beaver meadows and heathlands. Fires set by lightning strikes or burning and clearing by Native Americans also opened up forested areas. With European colonization during the Page 18 xvi 1800s, grasslands became widespread as land was cleared for pastures and hayfields and grassland species flourished. Today, as farmland reverts back to forest, and agricultural landscapes are being replaced by housing and business developments, species dependent on grasslands are declining. Grassland habitat in Somerset County consists primarily of agricultural land such as hay fields and pastures, reclaimed surface mines, and maintained areas such as airfields. Planning for biodiversity and ecological health tomorrow Provision for the future health of ecological resources in Somerset County will require a combination of efforts to steward specific sites that host unique species and communities, broader-scale planning to maintain the unique

contiguity of its forested regions, and restoration efforts to alleviate water pollution and restore ecological function to damaged landscapes and waterways. Forest Communities. In the forested landscapes, objectives for large-scale planning should include maintaining and increasing contiguity and connectivity of natural land. Contiguity is important for the enhanced habitat values outlined above. For example, the countys forested ridgelines along the Allegheny Front are regionally significant migration routes for raptors and Neotropical bird species because they form corridors of unbroken forest. Municipal and regional land use plans can support maintenance of forest contiguity by encouraging residential or commercial projects to re-develop in existing town centers or re-use previously altered landscapes, rather than orienting new infrastructure through unfragmented natural landscapes. Connectivity between habitat patches and maintenance of natural corridors that connect forests, wetlands and waterways is of critical importance for many species. For example, many amphibians and dragonflies use an aquatic or wetland habitat in one phase of their life then migrate to an upland, forested habitat for their adult life. By enrolling in the Pennsylvania

Forest Stewardship Program, a voluntary program that provides information, education, and technical assistance, forest landowners can better manage their forestlands. See Appendix VIII (pg. 205) for more details on this program. Wetland/Aquatic Communities. Somerset Countys waterways, ranging from remote mountain streams to the Casselman River, include some of the countys most scenic features and some of its greatest ecological challenges. Remediation of mine drainage pollution is the greatest challenge to restoration of water quality and living aquatic ecosystems in many of the countys waterways. In some areas reduction in the release of other pollutants into runoff, including sediments, nutrients, and chemical contaminants, will also be necessary to improve water quality. Stewardship or restoration of native forest communities in riparian buffers along waterways will greatly improve water quality and enhance the habitat value for various aquatic and semiaquatic species. Attending to the basic ecological functions of streams and wetlands will pay dividends by ensuring the continued availability of quality water for human communities, enabling the restoration of healthy fisheries, and enhancing the quality of life for which the region is known.

Grassland Communities. Many grassland birds and other wildlife associated with open areas are experiencing declines due to habitat loss and modern agricultural practices (Jones and Vickery 1997). In parts of western Pennsylvania where a small portion of reclaimed surface mines are maintained as grassland habitat or farmers are participating in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), several grassland-dependent species have been able to maintain small strongholds. Dedicated, longterm management is needed to maintain these grassland habitats. Objectives for large-scale planning should include restricting mowing during the breeding season, managing grazing using a rotational system, periodic burns, and limiting development in those areas where grassland-dependent species are known to reside. The creation of additional grassland habitats should not be a primary conservation activity, e.g., increasing the amount of reclaimed surface mines in the county is not an objective for biodiversity conservation. Page 19 xvii Evaluating proposed activity within Natural Heritage Areas A very important part of encouraging conservation of the Natural Heritage Areas

identified within the Somerset County Natural Heritage Inventory is the careful review of proposed land use changes or development activities that overlap with Natural Heritage Areas. The following overview should provide guidance in the review of these projects or activities. Always contact the Somerset County Planning Commission. The County Planning Commission should be aware of all activities that may occur within Natural Heritage Areas in the county so that they may interface with the County Conservation District and other necessary organizations or agencies to better understand the implications of proposed activities. They can also provide guidance to the landowners, developers, or project managers as to possible conflicts and courses of action. Once informed of the proposed activity, the County Planning Commission should then contact the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) - Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) office for direction in arranging further review of the activity. Depending upon the resources contained within the Natural Heritage Area, the agencies/entities responsible for the resource will then be contacted. The points of contact and arrangements for that contact will be determined

on a case-by-case basis by the county and PNHP. In general, the responsibility for reviewing natural resources is partitioned among agencies in the following manner: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for all federally listed plants or animals. Pennsylvania Game Commission for all state and federally listed terrestrial vertebrate animals. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for all state and federally listed reptiles, amphibians, aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry for all state and federally listed plants. Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) for all natural communities, terrestrial invertebrates and species not falling under the above jurisdiction. PNHP and agency biologists can provide more detailed information with regard to the location of natural resources of concern in a project area, the needs of the particular resources in question, and the potential impacts of the project to those resources. If a ground survey is necessary to determine whether significant natural resources are present in the area of the project, PNHP or an agency

biologist will recommend a survey be conducted. PNHP, through the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, or other knowledgeable contractors can be retained for this purpose. Early consideration of natural resource impacts is recommended to allow sufficient time for thorough evaluation. Given that some species are only observable or identifiable during certain phases of their life cycle (i.e., the flowering season of a plant or the flight period of a butterfly), a survey may need to be scheduled for a particular time of year. If the decision is made to move forward with a project in a sensitive area, WPC can work with municipal officials and project personnel during the design process to develop strategies for minimizing the projects ecological impact while meeting the projects objectives. The resource agencies in the state may do likewise. Note that projects involving numerous activities that will require state permits will require a Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) review. Consultation with WPC or another agency does not take the place of the PNDI review. However, early consultation and planning as detailed above can provide for a more efficient and better integrated permit review, and a better understanding among the parties involved as to the scope of any needed

project modifications. Page 20 xviii Page 21 1 INTRODUCTION Our natural environment is key to human health and sustenance. A healthy environment provides clean air and water, supports fish, game and agriculture, and furnishes renewable sources of materials for countless aspects of our livelihoods and economy. In addition to these direct services, a clean and healthy environment plays a central role in our quality of life, whether through its aesthetic valuefound in forested ridges, mountain streams, and encounters with wildlife or in the opportunities it provides for exploration, recreation, and education. Finally, a healthy natural environment supports economic growth by adding to the regions attractiveness as a location for new business enterprises, and provides the basis for the recreation, tourism and forestry industriesall of which have the potential for long-term sustainability. Fully functional ecosystems are the key indicators of a healthy environment and working to maintain ecosystems is essential to the long-term sustainability of our economies. An ecosystem is the complex of interconnected living organisms inhabiting a particular area or unit of space, together with their environment and all their interrelationships and relationships with the environment (Ostroumov 2002). All the parts of an ecosystem are interconnected the survival of any species or the continuation of a given natural process depends upon the system as a whole, and in turn, these species and processes contribute to maintaining the system. An important

consideration in assessing ecosystem health is the concept of biodiversity. Biodiversity can be defined as the full variety of life that occurs in a given place, and is measured at several scales: genes, species, natural communities, and landscapes. Genetic diversity refers to the variation in genetic makeup between individuals and populations of organisms and provides a species with the ability to adapt successfully to environmental changes. In order to conserve genetic diversity, it is important to maintain natural patterns of gene flow through the migration of individual plants and animals across the landscape and the dispersal of pollen and seeds among populations (Thorne et al. 1996). Individual species play a role in sustaining ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling, decomposition, and plant productivity; declines in native species diversity alter these processes (Naeem et al. 1999). A natural community is an interactive assemblage of plant and animal species that share a common environment and occur together repeatedly on the landscape, such as a red maple swamp (Massachusetts Biomap 2001). Each type of natural community represents habitat for a different assemblage of species, hence identification and stewardship of the full range of native community types is needed to meet the challenge of conserving habitat for all species. From an ecological perspective, a landscape is a large area of land that includes a mosaic of natural community types and a variety of habitats for many species (Massachusetts Biomap 2001). At this scale, it is important to consider whether communities and habitats are isolated or connected by corridors of natural landscape traversable by wildlife, and whether the size of a natural landscape is

sufficient to support viable populations and ecosystems. Because all the living and non-living elements of an ecosystem are interconnected and interdependent, it is essential to conserve native biodiversity at all these scales (genes, species, natural communities, and landscapes) if ecosystems are to continue functioning. Pennsylvanias natural heritage is rich in biodiversity and the state includes many examples of high quality natural communities and large expanses of natural landscapes. Over 20,000 species are known to occur in the state, and the extensive tracts of forest in the northern and central parts of the state represent a large fraction of the remaining areas of suitable habitat in the mid-Atlantic region for many forestdependent species of birds and mammals. Unfortunately, biodiversity and ecosystem health are seriously threatened in many parts of the state by pollution and habitat loss. Of the 3500 species of animals and Page 22 2 vascular plants that have been documented in the state, more than one in ten are imperiled, 156 have been lost since European settlement, and 351 are threatened or endangered (PA 21st Century Environment Commission 1998). Many of these species are imperiled because available habitat in the state has been reduced and/or degraded. Fifty-six percent of Pennsylvanias wetlands have been lost or substantially degraded by filling, draining, or conversion to ponds (Dahl 1990). According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), 60% of those Pennsylvania lakes that have thus far been assessed for biological health are listed as impaired. Of 83,000 miles of stream in Pennsylvania almost 70,000 miles has been

assessed for water quality and nearly 11,000 miles have been designated as impaired due to abandoned mine discharges (AMD), acid precipitation, and agricultural and urban runoff (PA DEP 2004). The species that depend on these habitats are correspondingly under threat: 58% of threatened or endangered plant species are wetland or aquatic species; 13% of Pennsylvanias 200 native fish species have been lost, while an additional 23% are imperiled; and among freshwater mussels one of the most globally imperiled groups of organisms 18 of Pennsylvanias 67 native species are extinct and another 22 are imperiled (Goodrich et al. 2003). Prior to European settlement, over 90% of Pennsylvanias land area was forested. Today, 60% of the state is still forested, but much of this forest is fragmented by non-forest uses such as roads, utility rights-ofway, agriculture, and housing: only 42% is interior forest habitat, and some of the species that depend upon interior forest habitat are in decline (Goodrich et al. 2003). In addition to habitat fragmentation, forest pests, acid precipitation (which causes nutrient leaching and stunted growth), overbrowsing by deer, and invasive species also threaten forest ecosystem health. The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) assesses the conservation needs of animal and vascular plant species native to Pennsylvania. While Pennsylvania also hosts a diversity of other life forms such as mosses, fungi, bacteria, and protists, too little is known of these species to assess their conservation status. The goals of this report are to identify areas important in sustaining biodiversity at the species, natural community, and landscape levels and provide that information to more fully inform land use decisions. Using information from PNHP, County Natural Heritage Inventories (CNHIs) identify

areas in the county that support Pennsylvanias rare, threatened or endangered species as well as natural communities that are considered to be rare in the state or exceptional examples of the more common community types. The areas that support these features are identified as Biological Diversity Areas (BDAs). At a broader scale, CNHIs recognize landscape-level features termed Landscape Conservation Areas (LCAs). LCAs identify areas of relatively intact natural landscape such as large areas of forest unbroken by roads or other fragmenting features; areas which function as a corridor connecting patches of natural landscape; and regions in which a high number of other biodiversity features are concentrated. A description of each areas natural features and recommendations for maintaining their viability are provided for each BDA and LCA. Also, in an effort to provide as much information as possible focused on planning for biodiversity conservation, this report includes species and natural community fact sheets, references and links to information on invasive exotic species, and information from other conservation planning efforts such as the Pennsylvania Audubons Important Bird Area Project. Together with other land use information, this report can help to guide the planning and land management necessary to maintain the ecosystems on which our natural heritage depends. Page 23 3 OVERVIEW OF SOMERSET COUNTY NATURAL FEATURES The natural landscape is best described as an ecosystem, a group of interacting living organisms and the physical environment inhabited. Climate, topography, geology and soils play an important role in the development of ecosystems (forests, fields, wetlands) and physical features (streams, rivers, mountains)

that occur across a landscape. Disturbance, both natural and anthropogenic, has also been influential in forming and altering many of Somerset Countys ecosystems, causing extinction of some species and the introduction of others. These combined factors provide the framework for conducting a County Natural Heritage Inventory. The following sections provide a brief overview of the physiology, soils, surface water, vegetation, and natural resources of the county. Physiography and geology A physiographic province is a geographic region of similar geologic structure and climate, with a unified geomorphic or surficial history. A regions topography and climate, along with bedrock type, significantly influence soil development, hydrology, and land use patterns of an area. Both physiography and geology are important to plant community distribution and pattern, which in turn influences animal distribution. Because of the differences in climate, soils, and moisture regimes, certain plant communities would be expected to occur within some physiographic provinces and not others. Somerset County lies entirely within the Allegheny Mountain Section of the Appalachian Plateau Physiographic Province (Figure 1). Long and orderly forested ridges oriented northeast and broad, highly elevated stream-dissected valleys distinguish this section. The highest discrete peaks in Pennsylvania are in this section including Mt Davis, the highest point in the state at a height of 3,213 feet. The lowest point in the county is along Gladden Run in Southampton Township at 1,040 feet. Laurel Mountain, an isolated sandstone ridge outcrop, forms the western boundary of the county and the Allegheny Front sharply defines the eastern boundary of both Somerset County and the Appalachian Plateau Physiographic

Province. Most of the county between the crest of Laurel Hill and Allegheny Mountains is considered a high plateau. Somerset County is also considered to be part of The Nature Conservancys Central Appalachian Forest ecoregion. Sedimentary rock of Pennsylvanian, Mississippian, and Devonian ages is found in Somerset County. Pennsylvanian rocks (cyclical sequence of sandstone, shale, coal, limestone, and some siltstone) cover most of the county. Mississippian Rocks (made up of primarily sandstone, with interbeds of shale, siltstone and some limestone) are exposed along Laurel Hill and Negro Mountain and on the narrow ridges represented by Allegheny, Little Savage, and Big Savage Mountains. Devonian rocks (interbedded sequence of sandstone, shale, and siltstone) outcrop between Allegheny and Little Savage Mountains in the southeast corner of the county. Unconsolidated recent alluvial deposits are in stream and river valleys in the county. The ridges of this province are generally at elevations greater than 1,200 feet with a general relief ranging between 400-1800 feet above sea level. Several habitat types in Somerset County, e.g., rocky outcrops, nonglacial bogs, and caves, are directly linked to the geology and geomorphic history of the Appalachian Plateau Province. These habitat types occur as discrete patches within the surrounding landscape. Sandstone and conglomerate bedrock resistant to erosion are exposed as cliffs and ledges along ridgetops and mountain slopes. Ledges and isolated blocks along with large rock fractures criss-cross creating small rock cities that provide habitat for animal species such as the Allegheny Woodrat (Neotoma magister) and Green Salamander (Aneides aeneus). Series of nonglacial, bog-like headwater wetlands occupy level ridgetops and gently sloping

saddles along mountain ridges. These wetlands were likely once northern coniferous swamp forests that were timbered in the 1920s or 30s and now remain as shrub/graminoid, sphagnumdominated wetlands with very little tree cover. Several animal and plant species of special concern occur in this habitat type. Page 24 4 Figure 1. Physiographic provinces of Somerset County and surrounding areas. Three types of caves occur within Pennsylvania: solution caves formed in limestone or dolomite by the dissolving action of water; talus caves formed within loose piles of scree and boulders on mountainsides; and tectonic caves resulting from the mechanical slippage of rock masses. The four caves found in Somerset County are solution caves and occur in the Mississippian Loyalhanna limestones (White and White 1999). Caves play an important ecological role by providing a necessary habitat component for a variety of wildlife. Snakes, woodrats, and other small mammals, along with an assortment of invertebrates utilize caves. Bats, the animals the general public most closely associates with caves, rely on undisturbed caverns for winter survival. The Allegheny cave amphipod (Stygobromus allegheniensis), a state rare animal that is adapted to unique subterranean habitats, dwells in underground waterways found in Somerset County. Soils A soil association is a natural grouping of soils based on similarities in climatic or physiographic factors and soil parent materials. It may include a number of soil types provided they are all present in significant proportions (Canadian Soil Information System 2003). The soils of Somerset County have been described

in Soil Survey of Somerset County, Pennsylvania (Yaworski 1983). The five soil associations recognized within the county are described in Table 2. Page 25 5 Table 2. Soil associations of Somerset County. Soil Association Parent Materials Description Percentage of County Land Use Rayne-GilpinWhartonCavode Interbedded shale and sandstone, colluvium, alluvium, coal, shale, sandstone, and shale-siltstone Nearly level to very steep, deep and moderately deep, well drained to somewhat poorly drained soils; on hills and ridges 52 Most areas of this association are cleared and used for crops, hay, and pasture. Some areas are forested, especially areas of steep and stony soils. A few areas are used for urban and industrial developments and for surface mining of coal. The soils in this association are the most extensive in the county

and are some of the best soils for farming. The moderate depth to bedrock, the slope, and the seasonal high water table are major limitations for most uses. HazletonCookport Sandstone, shale-siltstone, and colluvium Nearly level to very steep, deep, well drained and moderately well drained soils; on foot slopes of hills and on mountains 28 Most areas of this association are forested, except the areas that are cleared for crops, hay, and pasture. A few areas are used for homesites and recreation. The soils are mostly too stony for farming. In addition to stoniness, slope and a seasonal high water table are major limitations. BerksWeikert Gray sandstone, interbedded shale and siltstone, shale, and siltstone Gently sloping to very steep, shallow and moderately deep, well-drained soils; on hills and ridges 10 Most areas of this association are used for cultivated crops. The soils on steep areas are forested. Some areas are in pasture. A few areas are used for surface mining of coal and

for homesites and recreation. The slope and the shallow and moderate depth to bedrock and major limitations. Leck KillAlbrights Shale, sandstone, and alluvium Gently sloping to very steep, deep, well-drained to somewhat poorly drained soils; on hills and ridges 8 Approximately half of the areas of this association have been cleared for cropland, hay, and pasture. The rest of the areas are mostly forested. Small areas are used for homesites and recreation. Slope and a seasonal high water table are major limitations. ErnestRayne-Gilpin Shale and siltstone Gently sloping to moderately steep, moderately deep and deep, moderately well drained and well drained soils; on ridges 2 Most areas of this association are cleared and used for crops, hay, and pasture. The soils in the steeper areas are forested. Few areas are used for surface mining. The soils are mostly suited to farming. A seasonal high water table and moderate depth to bedrock are major limitations. Page 26 6

Vegetation Forest Communities Somerset County is largely a forested landscape with over half the land (65%) in forest cover (Penn State Timber Market Report 1993). The ridgelines hold the largest, contiguous blocks of forest in the county. As is true for other sections of the Appalachian Plateau, these forests are composed largely of second and third growth forest stands; there are few known areas of old-growth forest in the county. Somerset County lies within the Mixed Mesophytic region of the Deciduous Forest Formation, although the higher altitudes in the northern part of the county can best be described as a southern lobe of the Hemlock-White PineNorthern Hardwood forest (Braun 1950). Oak-chestnut forest types characterized drier sites or ridge tops in the past. After the loss of the American chestnut (Castanea dentata) in the 1930s, oak came to dominate the forests on the ridges. Such is still the case in many areas but with widespread loss due to gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) infestation and further logging, forest compositions are again changing. Chestnut oak (Quercus prinus), and scarlet oak (Q. coccinea) along with pitch pine (Pinus rigida), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), sassafras (Sassafras albidum), and a mix of heaths e.g., blueberry and huckleberry (Vaccinium spp.) and mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) occupy the driest sites, especially high elevation southern and western exposures (Braun 1950). These oak-pine communities often become dwarfed in the places where thin soils, extreme exposure to wind and sun, and low moisture combine. Fairly extensive at high elevations in the southern Appalachians, only on several of the highest ridgetops in the county do communities approach this condition. Moving downslope from the highest elevations, the diversity of

vegetation increases with higher moisture levels. Red, black and white oak (Quercus spp.), along with hickories (Carya spp.), black birch (Betula lenta), red maple (Acer rubrum), striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum), and witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) become dominant. Herbaceous growth becomes more prominent where the heath layer thins. Species characteristic of more northerly regions populate north-facing slopes. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and intermediate wood fern (Dryopteris intermedia) often are found on these slopes, establishing where substrate becomes available. On southern slopes, species characteristic of more southerly regions are found such as white oak (Quercus alba), yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), sassafras, black birch and chestnut oak. The mesic forest communities of sugar maple (Acer saccharum), American basswood (Tilia americana), white and red oak (Quercus rubra), tulip poplar, and cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) become established on the lower slopes. Often on northern slopes and in water gaps, hemlock and white pine (Pinus strobus) will mix with the usually deciduous slope forests. Yellow birch (Betula allegheniensis), beech (Fagus grandifolia), rhododendron, and mountain laurel are very common in these cool, moist ravine communities that are distinctly like the northern coniferhardwood forests of the Northeast. The extent of remaining forest within the broad plateau-like valleys of Somerset County, and within Pennsylvania as a whole, is very small. Rich, alluvial soils deposited from streams and deep colluvial soils from the erosion of the lower slopes of the ridges have made the valleys in the county prime agricultural areas. The remaining wooded groves and scattered individual trees indicate that white oak

was clearly a dominant tree in these low elevation communities (Braun 1950). Today, the largest sections of forest in these valleys follow the rivers and streams of the county. Wetland Communities Wetlands provide essential habitat for many plant and animal species, as well as valuable ecosystem services such as water filtration and flood control. The ecological character of a wetland is influenced by local soil type, disturbance history, bedrock composition, and hydrological regime. Types of wetlands range from forested seeps where groundwater saturates the surface only when heavy precipitation raises the water table to open marshes that are continuously flooded. In Somerset County, many of the wetlands are associated with streams and rivers and include floodplain forest, forested swamps, shrub swamps, and Page 27 7 graminoid marshes (e.g., nonglacial bogs). Two other important wetland types known from the area are seepage swamps and vernal pools. Wetlands resulting from excavations and impoundments are also present in the landscape, but were not included in this study because they typically do not host as rich or distinctive an assemblage of native species as do natural wetlands. Floodplain forests occur along rivers and streams in low-lying areas. These locations are periodically inundated by the floodwaters of spring runoff or runoff from intense storm events. In south-central Pennsylvania, these forests are characterized by a canopy containing some combination of silver maple (Acer saccharinum), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), tulip poplar, black willow (Salix nigra), green ash (Fraxinus pensylvanica), American elm (Ulnus americana), and box-elder (Acer negundo). Shrubs and

vines common to these forests include spicebush (Lindera benzoin), ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius), silky dogwood (Cornus amomum), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), and poison ivy (Toxicidendron radicans). Floodplain forest communities receive severe disturbances from floodwaters including erosion, scouring by ice and debris, and/or deposition of considerable quantities of sediment and debris. Only species with adaptations or tolerance for these kinds of conditions can survive here. Floodplains on smaller waterways receive less intense disturbances but are still periodically flooded. Pin oak (Quercus palustris), swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor), silver maple, red maple, ash, sycamore, and black walnut (Juglans nigra) are frequent on wetter bottomland soils associated with smaller creeks. Understory species include spicebush, violets (Viola spp.), nettles (Urtica dioica, Laportea canadensis), cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata), golden alexanders (Zizea aurea) and many other wildflowers. Several species of special concern are frequently found in these habitats. In addition, floodplain forests also serve as a protective buffer against erosion; help provide cooling shade to the waterway; filter pollutants and excessive nutrients from runoff; and help alleviate flood damage along many of the areas creeks. Areas that have a history of flooding are poor choices for building sites, and are best left as natural floodplain. Graminoid marshes are wetlands dominated by grasslike plants such as cattails (Typha latifolia), sedges (Carex spp.), and grasses. These wetlands may be found in association with streams or in areas with ground water seepages. Graminoid marshes in the county are frequently formed as successional communities following beaver dams or other impoundments. These wetlands are frequently rich in species diversity, and provide important breeding habitat for numerous amphibians, reptiles and birds.

Seepage swamps are relatively small, forested or shrub-dominated wetlands found on lower slopes where water emerges at the surface in a diffuse flow. These seep areas are frequently dominated by hemlock, yellow birch and red maple, with a thick understory of rhododendron, swamp azalea (Rhododendron viscosum), spicebush, and/or highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). Common herbs in these seepage wetlands include skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), violets, manna grass (Glyceria spp.), various sedges (Carex spp.), and ferns, including cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), royal fern (O. regalis), and sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis). Sphagnum (Sphagnum spp.) and other mosses typically form a thick mat in these wetlands. Ephemeral/fluctuating or vernal pools are wetlands that fill annually from precipitation, surface water runoff, and rising groundwater (Kenney and Burne 2000). The pools typically become completely dry through evaporation by late spring or summer. Since these ponds dry up during a portion of the year, they cannot support fish populations. During the brief time the pools contain water, and in the absence of fish, they become important breeding areas for a multitude of amphibian species (e.g., spotted salamanders, Ambystoma maculatum), many of which breed solely in vernal pools. Because wetlands are relatively rare in central Pennsylvania, they are an important refuge for plants as well as important habitat for nesting and migrating birds. Many other animals groups such as amphibians, reptiles, dragonflies, damselflies, moths, and butterflies also depend on specific wetland habitats for all or a portion of their life cycles. Page 28 8 Disturbance

Disturbances, whether natural or man-made, are pivotal in shaping many natural communities. The nature, scale, and frequency of disturbance are influential in the evolution and occurrence of natural communities and associated rare species. Examples of natural and anthropogenic disturbance events are presented below in Table 3. Natural Natural disturbances such as fire and flooding can benefit certain natural communities and species. For example, periodic fires are needed to maintain pitch pine (Pinus rigida) and scrub oak (Quercus illicifolia) barrens. Burns in such areas stimulate new growth in these species and exclude other successional species. Floodplain forests benefit from the periodic scouring and deposition of sediments as streams overtop their banks. At the same time, streamside wetland communities hold excess water, thus reducing the scale of flooding downstream. In contrast, deer have been responsible for a number of negative impacts on Pennsylvania flora and fauna (Rhoads and Klein 1993). Over-browsing can result in a lack of forest regeneration, a reduction in the diversity and density of forest understory, decreased songbird diversity, and a direct loss of rare plants (Yahner 1995). For example, forests that were once dominated by oak are now converting to red maple in large part because of deer pressure (Abrams 1998). Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) defoliation during 1989 and 1990 compounded with the drought of 1988 and 1991 has also changed forest structure in Somerset County. Additionally, two tornadoes touched down on Negro Mountain in 1998 and ice-storms in 2002 hit Laurel Ridge and Allegheny Mountain. Anthropogenic

In many cases, human-caused disturbance has been clearly destructive to natural habitats and the species associated with them. In Somerset County, agricultural run-off, abandoned mine drainage, and chemicals used for de-icing highways impact adjacent forests and waterways. Logging and mining have played a major role in altering the landscape. Older-growth forest now only occurs as a few small remnant patches. Table 3. Examples of natural and anthropogenic disturbances (adapted from Scott et.al. 1999)* Natural Events Anthropogenic Events fire residential development disease epidemic road, trail, railroad line flood telephone line, utility line drought dam, canal hurricane/tornado/landslide commercial development landslide modern agriculture ice storm mining logging grazing *Entries in italics connote reversible disturbances, while those in roman usually represent long-term Reclaimed mine lands now provide valuable nesting and wintering habitat for grassland bird species such

as the Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus), Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus), Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna), and Henslows Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii). Although some species, including several rare species, are aided by on-site disturbance (e.g. clearing or mowing), in general, human-caused disturbance negatively impacts natural systems. With wide-ranging anthropogenic disturbance, some plant and animal species may be completely extirpated from an area because they cannot compete or survive under newly created conditions. Human disturbances are a permanent part of the landscape, but decisions about the type, timing, and extent of future disturbances are important to the natural ecological diversity that remains. Page 29 9 Natural Resources Renewable Water. Somerset County has mean annual precipitation of about 42 inches and mean annual runoff of 25 inches. Prevailing westerly winds cause a secondary precipitation maximum on the western slopes and the county has a higher average snowfall compared to adjacent counties. Drainage of the county is into three major river basins. The largest area is west of the Allegheny Mountains and drains into the Ohio River Basin and travels to the Gulf of Mexico. An area east of the Allegheny Mountains and north of Dividing Ridge drains into the Susquehanna River Basin via the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River and then flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The area east of the Allegheny Mountains and south of Divining Ridge drains into the Potomac River Basin and then into the Chesapeake Bay as well. Source of water in the county are drilled wells, dug wells, springs, and storage reservoirs.

Timber. Somerset County has 688,000 acres of land. Forest covers 446,200 acres (65%) (PSU et al.). Of this acreage, 82% of the forestland is privately owned; 17% is public land and 1% is owned by forest industry. Besides the typical forest products, Somerset County has an ideal climate and soil type for maple syrup production. Wind. As of 2004, Somerset County has three wind facilities located near the boroughs of Garrett, Somerset, and Meyersdale. Total megawatts of potential power generated by these three wind farms is 49.4 megawatts. Non-renewable Mineral Resources. Coal is the most valuable mineral resource in Somerset County and coal mined here ranks high for quality in the state. The county is included within the Main Bituminous Coal Field and belongs to the Upper Kittanning Coal Bed where it is extensively mined by both surface and deep mining. Natural gas production is along the western border and central part of the county. The county has been categorized as having favorable potential gas resources (Geology of PA 1999). Most of the good-quality flint refractory clays are underclays associated with coal seams. Limestone, shale, and sandstone are also mined within the county. Page 30 10 NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS & CONSERVATION PLANNING CATEGORIES To provide the information necessary to plan for conservation of biodiversity at the species, community, and ecosystem levels, two types of Natural Heritage Areas, as well as designations from two other sources, are included in the report. Biological Diversity Area (BDA)

BDAs are areas containing plants or animals of special concern at state or federal levels, exemplary natural communities, or exceptional native diversity. BDAs include both the immediate habitat and surrounding lands important in the support of these special elements and are mapped according to their sensitivity to human activities. Core areas delineate essential habitat that cannot absorb significant levels of activity without substantial impact to the elements of concern. Supporting Natural Landscape areas maintain vital ecological processes or secondary habitat that may be able to accommodate some types of low-impact activities. Landscape Conservation Area (LCA) LCAs are large contiguous areas that are important because of their size, open space, habitats, and/or inclusion of one or more BDAs. Although a LCA includes a variety of land uses, it typically has not been heavily disturbed and thus retains much of its natural character. These large regions can be viewed as regional assets; they improve quality of life by providing a landscape imbued with a sense of beauty and wilderness, they provide a sustainable economic base, and their high ecological integrity offers unique capacity to support biodiversity and human health. Planning and stewardship efforts can preserve these landscape functions by limiting the overall amount of land converted to other uses, thereby minimizing fragmentation of these areas. Important Bird Area (IBA) The Pennsylvania Audubon Society administers the states IBA Program and defines an IBA as a site that is part of a global network of places recognized for their outstanding value to bird conservation. An IBA must meet one of several criteria developed by the Ornithological Technical

Committee of the Pennsylvania Biological Survey (http://pa.audubon.org/Ibamain.htm). Planning for these areas should consider how best to maintain their value as bird habitat. The value of some largescale IBAs may be due to the forest interior habitat contained within them; natural communities that have a particular habitat value for birds (e.g., wetland) are typically the basis for smaller-scale IBAs; therefore, a high degree of protection should be given to these sites. Conservation plans are in the process of being completed for all IBAs in the state. Important Mammal Area (IMA) The Important Mammal Areas Project (IMAP) is being carried out by a broad based alliance of sportsmen, conservation organizations, wildlife professionals, and scientists. Areas nominated must fulfill at least one of five criteria developed by the Mammal Technical Committee of the Pennsylvania Biological Survey (http://www.pawildlife.org/imap.htm). Planning for these areas should consider how best to maintain their value as mammal habitat. The value of these sites may be associated with high mammalian diversity, high-density populations, occurrence of species of special concern, or educational potential. Stewardship plans are in the process of being completed for all IMAs in the state. Geologic Features These include those areas that illustrate regional geologic processes, landforms or scenery and are those that are recognized as outstanding in Pennsylvania by Geyer and Bolles (1979, 1987). These places are not necessarily of importance to biological diversity and are therefore not considered Natural Heritage Areas. However, they are included as natural history features in the county. These

sites may be of interest for preservation due to their unique historic value, and often offer good opportunities for on-site natural history education. Page 31 11 METHODS Forty county inventories have been completed in Pennsylvania to date. The methods used in the Somerset County Natural Heritage Inventory followed established Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program procedures, which are based on those used by Anonymous (1985), Reese et al. (1988), and Davis et al. (1990). Natural Heritage Inventories proceed in three stages: 1) site selection based on existing data, map and aerial photo interpretation, recommendations from local experts, and aerial reconnaissance; 2) ground surveys; and 3) data analysis and mapping. Site Selection Inventory site selection is guided by information from a variety of sources. A review of the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program database (see Appendix II, pg. 192) determined what locations were previously known for species of special concern and important natural communities in Somerset County. Local citizens knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of Somerset County were contacted for site suggestions. Individuals from academic institutions and state and federal agencies that steward natural resources (e.g., Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, Carnegie Museum of Natural History Powdermill Nature Preserve) were also contacted to obtain information about lands or resources they manage. National Wetland Inventory maps, compiled by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, were used to locate wetlands of potential ecological significance within the county. General information from other

sources such as soil maps, geology maps, earlier field studies, and published materials on the natural history of the area helped to provide a better understanding of the areas natural environment. Aerial photographs were reviewed to identify sites for ground survey. Initial study of aerial photos revealed large-scale natural features (e.g., contiguous forest, wetlands), disturbances (e.g., utility line rights-of-way, surface mines, timbered areas) and a variety of easily interpretable features. Once preliminary site selection was completed, reconnaissance flights over chosen areas of the county were undertaken. Information concerning extent, quality, and context within the landscape can be gathered easily from the air. Wetlands and contiguous blocks of forest were of primary interest during fly-overs in Somerset County. Based on aerial photo interpretation and aerial surveys, some sites were eliminated from consideration if they proved to be highly disturbed, fragmented, lacked the targeted natural feature, or were purely attributable to human-made features (e.g., impoundments, clearings, farm fields). Ground Surveys Areas identified as inventory sites were scheduled for ground surveys. Ecologists conducted field surveys throughout Somerset County during 2002 and 2003. After obtaining permission from landowners, sites were examined to evaluate the condition and quality of the habitat and to classify the communities present. Field survey forms (Appendix III, pg. 193) were completed for each site. Boundaries for each site were drawn on USGS 1:24,000 topographic maps. If a species of special concern was recorded and the population was of sufficient size and vigor, a voucher specimen was collected to be archived in the herbarium of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. The flora, fauna, level of disturbance,

approximate age of forest community, and local threats were among the most important data recorded for each site. In cases where landowner permission for site visits was not obtained, or enough information was available from other sources, sites were not ground surveyed. Data Analysis and Mapping Data on species of special concern and natural communities obtained during the 2002 and 2003 field seasons were combined with prior existing data and summarized. All sites with rare species and/or natural communities, as well as exceptional examples of more common natural communities were selected for inclusion in Biological Diversity Areas (BDAs). Plant species nomenclature follows Rhoads and Block (2000). Spatial data on the element of concern were then compiled in a GIS format using ESRI ArcView 3.2a software. From the occupied habitat data, boundaries defining core habitat and supporting natural Page 32 12 landscape for each BDA were determined based upon physical factors (e.g., slope, aspect, hydrology), ecological factors (e.g., species composition, disturbance regime), and buffer specifications provided by jurisdictional government agencies. Boundaries tend to vary in size and extent depending on the physical characteristics of a given site and the ecological requirements of its unique natural elements. For instance, two wetlands of exactly the same size occurring in the same region may require very different buffers if one receives mostly ground water and the other mostly surface water, or if one supports migratory waterfowl and the other does not. BDAs were then assigned a significance rank to help prioritize future conservation efforts. This ranking is based on the extent, condition, and rarity of the unique feature, as

well as the quality of the surrounding landscape (see Appendix I for further description of ranks). Landscape Conservations Areas (LCAs) were designated around landscape features that function as a linking element within an aggregation of BDAs, and/or large blocks of contiguous forest. LCAs designated around contiguous forest were identified by means of GIS analysis, refined through aerial photograph inspection, and selected based on size. Forested areas in Somerset County were identified though a classification of 1992 National Land Cover Data (NLCD), compiled from Landsat TM (thematic mapping) satellite imagery with a resolution of 30 meters; NLCD data was downloaded from Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access (PASDA) Web site (http://pasda.psu.edu). Land coverage types used in the analysis were transitional, deciduous forest, coniferous forest, mixed forest, woody wetlands, and emergent herbaceous wetlands. Roads, active railroads, and utility rights-of-way were considered fragmenting features. Existing G.I.S. data for roads, which included interstates, U.S. and state highways, state, county and township roads, Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry roads, some private forest roads, and active railroads, were combined with utility right-of-way locations digitized from aerial photos. Analysis to identify contiguous blocks of forest was conducted using the map calculator function of the Spatial Analyst Extension in ArcView 3.2. The results were then compared against aerial photos and any apparent non-forested areas were removed. Forest blocks less than 1 acre were then removed and the remaining blocks were grouped into five size classes: 1-1,000 acres; 1,001-5,000 acres; 5,001-10,000 acres; 10,001-25,000 acres; and 25,001-25,655 acres. Forest blocks greater than 5000 acres were selected

for inclusion in LCAs. A detailed description of the GIS analysis is available upon request from Western Pennsylvania Conservancys data manager. Page 33 13 Figure 2. Biological Diversity Areas, Landscape Conservation Areas, and Important Bird and Mammal Areas in Somerset County. Page 34 14 RESULTS Biological Diversity Areas (Listed by Municipality) Detailed maps and description of Somerset Countys Natural Heritage Areas follow, organized by township. For each township, a map, a summary table, and full report are provided. Biological Diversity Areas, Landscape Conservation Areas, and Managed Lands are indicated on the municipality maps. Managed Lands are public properties established and managed to a large extent for natural resources and/or those that have the potential to manage such resources in order to maintain or enhance important ecological assets in the county. Examples include state game lands, state forests, and state parks. Townships are arranged alphabetically within each region; boroughs are included with the appropriate township due to their small size. An overview of land-use cover by township based on 1992 National Land Cover Data (NLCD) compiled from Landsat TM (thematic mapping) satellite imagery is shown in Table 4. A categorical designation of a site's relative significance is listed after the site name. Table 1 (pg. ix) has a summary of sites by significance category. Definitions of the significance categories are

outlined in Appendix I (pg. 191). Listed under each site name are any state-significant natural communities and species of special concern that have been documented within the area. See Appendix IV (pg. 194) for a list of Natural Communities recognized in Pennsylvania. Some species perceived to be highly vulnerable to intentional disturbance are referred to as special animals or special plants rather than by their species name. The PNDI (Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory) rarity ranks, and current legal status (detailed in Appendix V, pg. 199) are listed for each community and species. The text that follows each table discusses the natural qualities of the site and includes descriptions, potential threats, and recommendations for protection. Page 35 15 Table 4. Percent land-use cover by township based on 1992 National Land Cover Data compiled from Landsat TM (thematic mapping) satellite imagery. Land Use (%) Township Open Water Residential Commercial Surface mines/ Quarries Transitional Deciduous Forest Coniferous Forest Mixed Forest

Pasture/ Hay Row Crops Rec/ Urban Grasses Woody Wetlands Emergent Herbaceous Wetlands Total Addison Township & Borough 2.6 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.2 76.7 3.1 4.6 10.5 1.4 0.0 0.1 0.1 100

Allegheny Township, New Baltimore Borough 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.0 78.0 3.5 5.8 11.7 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 100 Black Township 0.0 0.2 0.2 2.9 0.0 70.6 4.3 7.9 12.2 1.8 0.0 0.0

0.0 100 Brothersvalley Township, Berlin Borough 0.1 0.6 0.0 2.8 0.1 41.5 1.9 6.9 39.3 6.2 0.0 0.4 0.3 100 Conemaugh Township, Benson Borough 1.9 1.5 1.0 0.8 0.2 58.2 3.6 4.7 25.9

2.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 100 Elk Lick Township 1.2 0.5 0.0 0.9 0.2 53.0 4.3 11.0 26.6 2.1 0.0 0.2 0.1 100 Fairhope Township & Borough 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.8 0.0 83.4 7.0

6.0 2.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 100 Greenville Township 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 51.7 7.3 6.5 31.2 2.8 0.0 0.1 0.1 100 Jefferson Township 0.1 0.2 0.8 0.5 0.3 65.3

1.4 5.9 22.2 2.6 0.1 0.7 0.1 100 Jenner Township, Boswell & Jennerstown Boroughs 0.8 1.0 0.4 2.8 0.0 54.9 2.1 6.6 27.5 4.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 100 Larimer Township, Callimont Borough 0.1 0.3

0.1 0.0 0.1 65.2 5.0 4.9 22.4 2.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 100 Lincoln Township 0.4 0.0 0.6 0.2 0.1 47.2 1.2 4.4 37.5 8.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 100 Lower Turkeyfoot Township, Confluence & Ursina

Boroughs 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.5 82.4 1.3 5.7 8.5 0.5 0.0 0.1 0.0 100 Page 36 21 Allegheny Township & New Baltimore Borough Gravid female garter snake (Thamnopis sirtalis), Christner Bog BDA Page 37 22 Allegheny Township & New Baltimore Borough PNDI Rank Legal Status Global State Federal State Last Seen Quality NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS: S. Penn RR Tunnel - Allegheny Mountain BDA Exceptional Significance Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis)

G2 SUBS1N LE PE 2/7/2000 E northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) G4 S3BS3N --- 2/7/2000 E winter bat colony (bat hibernaculum) GNR SU --- 2/7/2000 E State Game Land #104 LCA Exceptional Significance ------State Game Land #228 LCA Exceptional Significance ------OTHER CONSERVATION AREAS: Allegheny Mountain IMA GEOLOGIC FEATURES:

none Page 38 23 ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP Allegheny Township, which includes the borough of New Baltimore, lies east of the Allegheny Front and extends south along the Somerset/Bedford County to Panther Creek. Forested ridges and slopes with pasture and hay fields interspersed throughout the plateau characterize the landscape (Table 4). The headwaters of the Raystown Branch of the Juniata are found in the southwestern corner of the township. A notable ecological feature of the township is Breastwork Run, a mountain stream that flows south along the Allegheny Front before entering the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River. An exceptional view of the Allegheny Front and Ridge and Valley Provinces can be seen along U.S. Route 30 at the county border. Over three-fourths of the township lies within the Allegheny Mountain IMA. No managed lands are found within this township. S. Penn RR Tunnel - Allegheny Mountain BDA This BDA focuses on an old, incomplete railroad tunnel near the Somerset-Bedford County line that is used as a bat hibernaculum for the federally endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) and northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis), a state species of concern. The core of this BDA is a 500 meters buffer around the tunnel entrance. Supporting landscape includes forested areas and riparian corridors within 2 km of the entrance. See the Indiana bat fact sheet on page 25 for information on this species. The northern myotis has a range in the east that extends from southern Canada south through the mountains to the north central panhandle of Florida. It is most abundant in the northern part of the range but relatively rare across

its range both in terms of hibernacula and in summer foraging and maternity areas (NatureServe 2005). In Pennsylvania, northern myotis is considered a vulnerable species, but this rank may be changed and the species no longer tracked based on recent mist-netting data (Butchcoski, pers. comm.). Both bat species are generally associated with forested communities and hibernate in caves, mines, and tunnels (Barbour and Davis 1969). The principal requirements of a suitable hibernaculum are winter-long, low temperatures above freezing; high humidity; and lack of disturbances, both natural (floods) and anthropogenic (visitation) (Barbour and Davis 1969, Hitchcock 1949). During the summer, the bats that hibernate in the cave require habitat for roosting and foraging. In general, bat species roost under the bark of trees, and forage along streams and forest edges. The suitable physical structures for roosting are most often found in mature trees or dead snags. Foraging typically occurs in forested habitats, above and below the canopy and over forest clearings and occasionally over water. Threats and Stresses Cave-hibernating bats can be negatively impacted by disturbances, such as foot traffic, at their hibernaculum during the winter months of November through April. Even low levels of noise, heat, or light can be sufficient to disturb them. If bats are wakened from hibernation, they may exhaust energy reserves needed to survive upon emerging in the spring and starve to death. Physical disturbance of the rock surrounding the tunnel or tunnel entrance could alter environmental conditions within, making the site unsuitable for use as a hibernaculum. Reduction of forest cover, especially along riparian corridors, may reduce habitat area for roosting and feeding for the bats. Recommendations

The Pennsylvania Game Commission can provide the best and most current management recommendations for bats. Considerations may include appropriate forest management to maintain contiguous forest that includes the older trees needed by the bats, avoiding the release of pesticides within the habitat area to maintain the bats food supply and prevent them being poisoned by toxic compounds in the food supply, and maintaining a tall forest buffer along roads to prevent bat road kills (a low canopy may cause bats to fly into the path of traffic). Hibernacula must be protected from disturbance during Page 39 24 November through March. If human traffic is a problem, installation of a bat gate can be used to regulate access. Avoid locating new wind farms on ridges near the vicinity of mine. Within the core area, blasting or other bedrock disturbances should be avoided. Further assessment of what areas are being used as summer habitat by bats hibernating in the cave will be useful in guiding conservation of this population. Generally, maintaining and cultivating forest cover will increase the amount of available habitat for bats. This BDA lies entirely within the Allegheny Mountain IMA. A description and additional conservation concerns regarding this hibernaculum are given under the IMA section on page 174. Page 40 Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis) What it looks like: The Indiana bat is small (about 7.1 to 9 centimeters) and grayish-brown, with unique triple bands of color running down each of its hairs. Indiana bats huddle on cave walls at densities of up to 2,700 individuals per square meter. Where it is found:

Indiana bats hibernate in caves and abandoned mines, generally near the cave entrance where winter temperatures are cooler. In the summer, the bats frequent wooded areas near streams, roosting in crevices under tree bark or in hollow trees; trees that receive direct sunlight during the day are preferred. Females roost alone or in colonies to bear young. At the south of their range, Indiana bats eat mostly terrestrial insects, including beetles and lepidoptera (moths and butterflies). In the north, and nearer the Great Lakes, they eat more aquatic species, such as caddisflies. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy 2002 Why it is rare: The Indiana bat is vulnerable to human disturbance of its roosting sites, especially during its winter hibernation. If the bats are aroused while hibernating, they expend the fat reserves they need in order to survive until spring. Contamination of their food supply through the use of pesticides in agricultural areas and loss of summer habitat may also be contributing to the species' decline. A 1995-97 census showed population declines of around 60 percent since monitoring began in the 1960s. The species is protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. SX presumed extirpated S1 critically imperiled S2 imperiled S3 vulnerable SH possibly extirpated S4 apparently secure S5 secure Not ranked/under review State/Province Status Ranks North American State/Province Conservation Status

Map by NatureServe Conservation considerations: Richter et. al. (1993) reported that steel bars used to restrict human access to caves used as hibernacula (which do not impede airflow) was associated with a 10,000-individual increase in the bats population. Since Indiana bats roost under the bark of mature trees or dead snags in forests during the summer, increasing oldgrowth forest acreage and forest contiguity, especially within several miles of hibernation sites, will likely benefit this species. Understanding the pesticide load which bats are exposed is also important to determining whether these chemicals are significantly impacting bats and their food source. NatureServe conservation status ranks: G2 imperiled worldwide; SUB-S1N not ranked in Pennsylvania References Johnson, Scott A., Virgil Brack, Jr., and Robert E. Rolley. 1998. Overwinter Weight Loss of Indiana Bats (Myotis sodalis) from Hibernacula Subject to Human Visitation. American Midland Naturalist, 139(2): 255-61. Kurta, Allen and John O. Whitaker, Jr. 1998. Diet of the Endangered Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis) on the Northern Edge of its Range. American Midland Naturalist, 140(2), 280-6. Merrit, Joseph F. 1987. Guide to the Mammals of Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press. 90-3.

NatureServe. 2004. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 4.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. (Accessed 23 December 2004). Richter, Andreas R., Stephen R. Humphrey, James B. Cope, and Virgil Brack, Jr. 1993. Modified Cave Entrances: Thermal Effect on Body Mass and Resulting Decline of Endangered Indiana Bats (Myotis sodalis). Conservation Biology, 7(2): 407-15. 25 Page 41 26 Page 42 27 Black Township An exceptional value stream, Isers Run BDA Page 43 28 Black Township PNDI Rank Legal Status Global State Federal State Last Seen Quality NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS: Allegheny Highlands Trail at Rockwood BDA Notable Significance mountain bugbane (Cimicifuga americana) G4 S3 -PT 9/7/2004 D Isers Run BDA

Exceptional Significance stiff cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior) G5 S2 -TU 6/19/2003 B southern water shrew (Sorex palustris punctulatus) G5T3 S1 -PT 4/6/1985 B special animal 1 G5 S2S3 --- 6/19/2003 B special animal 2 G4 S1 --- 6/19/2003 B special animal 3 G4 S1S2 --- 6/19/2003

B exceptional value stream GNR S3 ---E Murdock Quarry BDA Notable Significance special animal G5 S3 --- 5/28/1987 E Negro Mountain/Casselman River Mine BDA Exceptional Significance northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) G4 S3BS3N --- 2/24/1997 E eastern small-footed myotis (Myotis leibii) G3 S1BS1N -PT 1/20/1993 E Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister)

G3G4 S3 -PT 1/24/1993 C winter bat colony (bat hibernaculum) GNR SU --- 2/24/1997 D Town Line Run Headwaters BDA High Significance kidney-leaved twayblade (Listera smallii) G4 S1 -PE 7/8/2003 C Glade Mountain LCA Exceptional Significance ------OTHER CONSERVATION AREAS: Forbes State Forest/Mt Davis Section IMA

GEOLOGIC FEATURES: none Page 44 29 BLACK TOWNSHIP Black Township is bound to the west and divided across the center by the Casselman River; and to the south by Town Line Run. Isers Run, an exceptional value stream, drains the southern portion of the township before entering the Casselman River. The township is mostly forested (83%) with some agricultural development and surface mines/quarries along the western border (Table 4). State Game Land #50 occupies the northern corner of the township and the Forbes State Forest/Mt Davis IMA occupies the southern tip. The Allegheny Highlands Trail, a rails to trails unpaved path, runs adjacent to the Casselman River. Allegheny Highlands Trail at Rockwood BDA The core of this BDA is designated around forested habitat adjacent to the Allegheny Highlands (rails to trails) unpaved path that supports mountain bugbane (Cimicifuga americana), a plant species of special concern in the state. The forest community along the trail is typical of mountain bugbane habitat in the northern portion of its range - mesic, northern hardwoods-eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) forest along slopes with seeps and streambank edges (NatureServe 2005). Dominant plant species at the site include eastern hemlock, yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), black birch (B. lenta), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), white ash (Fraxinus americana), red oak (Quercus rubra), rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum), intermediate wood fern (Dryopteris intermedia), Joe-pye-weed (Eupatorium fistulosum), zig-

zag aster (Symphyotrichum prenanthoides), and foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia). Although mountain bugbane is relatively common in particular locations within the Laurel Highlands, it is considered vulnerable in the state because of its restricted range. The species is primarily endemic to the southern and central Appalachian region from northern Georgia to western Pennsylvania and is considered globally uncommon and speculated to be declining (NatureServe 2005). See the mountain bugbane fact sheet on page 90 for more information on this species. Threats and Stresses Given the trailside location of this population, herbicide spraying and mowing by trail maintenance crews and disturbance by trail users pose the greatest threat to mountain bugbane at this site. Displacement by invasive exotic plant species that typically colonize disturbed habitats also pose a major threat. At a larger scale, mountain bugbane may be facing incidental collection and subsequent decline due to its resemblance to the widely collected black cohosh (C. racemosa) (NatureServe 2005). It also appears to be facing specific habitat development pressure in mountainous areas in the eastern U.S. (Nature Serve 2005). Recommendations Trail should be maintained by mowing, rather than the application of herbicides. Maintenance crews should be informed of the locations of the plants and encouraged not to disturb them. Timber harvesting or road building should be eliminated in core forested habitat upslope of the plants. Marking and dyeing roots of targeted populations of mountain bugbane may be a viable means for protecting the species from being collected along with publicizing the need for conservation and protection of wild herbs

(NatureServe 2005). Additionally, locations of rare plants should be reported to the Somerset County Parks and Recreation (owner of the location), and the Somerset Rails to Trail Association (active in the protection of the Great Allegheny Passage from Confluence to the Maryland State Line) and incorporated into the management plan for the trail. Page 45 30 Isers Run BDA An exceptional value stream and adjacent floodplain habitat form the core of this BDA that is occupied by stiff cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior), a plant species of special concern; southern water shrew (Sorex palustris punctulatus), an animal species of special concern; and three animal species of special concern. The supporting landscape of this BDA is the immediate watershed for this section of Isers Run and includes upland contiguous forest. The site is a remote, forested northwest slope of Negro Mountain within a high mountain valley. The second growth forest has been selectively cut in areas and road expansion has created pockets of wetlands or washout ditches. Species observed at the site include: red maple (Acer rubrum), yellow birch (Betula allegheniensis), chestnut oak (Quercus prinus), alder (Alnus sp.), rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum), downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea), sassafras (Sassafras albidum), swamp-dewberry (Rubus hispidus), greenbriar (Smilax sp.), club moss (Lycopodium sp.), goldenrod (Solidago sp.), and turtlehead (Chelone glabra), barren strawberry (Fragaria sp), common cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex), bedstraw (Galium sp.), jewelweed (Impatiens sp.), mint (Mentha sp.), meadow rue (Thalictrum sp.), violet (Viola sp.), bellwort (Uvularia perfoliata), water horehound

(Lycopus sp.), wild yam (Dioscorea quarternata), whorled loosestrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia), water hemlock (Cicuta bulbifera), hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula), sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis), interrupted fern (Osmunda claytonia), cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), and New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis). Forest-interior bird species noted at this site are Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus), Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea), Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens), and Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus). Stiff cowbane, a globally secure but state imperiled species, was found in channel scars and seepage areas along Isers Run. This species is found throughout the eastern U.S., except for New England, and occupies a variety of wetland habitats including swamps, bogs, sedge meadows, sandy shores, wet soils along streams, fens, wet prairies, moist bluffs, and abandoned railroad beds. Southern water shrew, a species considered to be critically imperiled in the state with few occurrences remaining, was found to be using streambank habitat along Isers Run. The section of Isers Run where the water shrew was found is within the Forbes State Forest/Mt Davis Section IMA. A description of this species habitat requirements and conservation concerns are given on page 175 under the IMA section. Threats and Stresses Given that this BDA is entirely on private forestland owned by a timber company, additional logging and road construction pose the greatest threat to the species of concern found at the site. These activities are likely to cause a decline in water quality (increased siltation, higher water temperatures due to removal of forest canopy) that would be detrimental to the four animal species of special concern and stiff cowbane.

Other potential threats to the site include pollution from abandoned coalmines and oil and gas wells, and contamination from sewage treatment system failures associated with developments bordering the State Forest along the lower elevation portions of streams. A campsite area adjacent to Isers Run indicates that the area is also used as a recreation site. There are some problems with trash dumping and trampling near the stream. Recommendations Activities such as road development and timber harvesting should not be conducted in core areas of this site. However, if such activities cannot be eliminated, the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) can prevent or minimize the impact of non-point source pollution from these activities on water quality. For example, a forested riparian buffer of at least 50 meters on either side of the stream should be maintained (U.S. Forest Service 1991) to protect the quality of the stream for all species of concern. Page 46 31 Murdock Quarry BDA This BDA is designated around several acres of abandoned surface mine on the western mid-slope of Negro Mountain occupied by a special animal of concern. The barren, rocky surface of the site has some ground cover (45-60%) with scattered trees and shrubs. Surrounding landscape is largely forested with some mining, powerline right-of-ways, and residences. State Game Lands #50 is just upslope to the east. This animal species of special concern is considered common within its range, vulnerable in Pennsylvania, and imperiled in the surrounding states of Ohio, West Virginia, and New York. Populations

in Pennsylvania are widely scattered, localized, and composed of relatively few individuals. This diurnally active terrestrial species favors open habitats such as rocky bluffs, dry shale barrens, sandstone slabs and ledges, in addition to humid, wooded areas. It is seldom seen because most activity takes place under leaf litter or cover objects such as logs and loose rocks. In general, females lay clutches of several eggs in moist soil or rotten logs during the summer and attend the eggs until they hatch. Its relatively small home range is typically not more than 30 meters in diameter (Fitch 1954) and it is generally found within 50 meters of water (NatureServe 2005). Threats and Stresses There are few imminent threats to this site given its already disturbed character. Natural succession may be detrimental to this species if it results in loss of open habitat. Collection does not appear to be an issue because of the species secretive habit. Recommendations Management of the abandoned surface mine should include activities to maintain the site in open habitat. Active recreational activities that would disturb the ground cover at the site, such as off-road vehicle usage, should be discouraged. Negro Mountain/Casselman River Mine BDA This Natural Heritage Area is discussed under Summit Township. Town Line Run Headwaters BDA This Natural Heritage Area is discussed under Addison Township. Page 47 32 Page 48 33 Brothersvalley Township

& Berlin Borough Bob Zaremba Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) and purple-fringeless orchid (Platanthera peramoena), Garrett Mud Flats BDA Page 49 34 Brothersvalley Township & Berlin Borough PNDI Rank Legal Status Global State Federal State Last Seen Quality NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS: Garrett Mud Flats BDA High Significance upland sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) G5 S1S2B -PT 6/23/2004 E northern harrier (Circus cyaneus) G5 S3BS4N --- 6/23/2004 E purple-fringeless orchid (Platanthera peramoena) G5 S2

-TU 8/2/2003 E S. Penn RR Tunnel Berlin BDA Notable Significance winter bat colony (bat hibernaculum) GNR S3N --- 2/16/1999 E Stonycreek River Shrub Wetland BDA Notable Significance stiff cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior) G5 S2 -TU 8/13/1996 E Tubs Run Wetland BDA Notable Significance stiff cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior) G5 S2 -TU 8/13/1996 E Sand Spring Ridge LCA Exceptional Significance

------OTHER CONSERVATION AREAS: Allegheny Mountain IMA Kimberly Run Natural Area IMA GEOLOGIC FEATURES: none Page 50 35 BROTHERSVALLEY TOWNSHIP The Allegheny Front sharply defines the eastern border of Brothersvalley Township, the fifth largest township in Somerset County. The township includes Berlin Borough. Buffalo Creek, a tributary to the Casselman River, which traverses the entire township, provides important habitat for migrating shorebirds and breeding amphibians. With the exception of forested ridgelines along the Allegheny Front, nearly all the township is in agricultural development and reclaimed surface mines (Table 4). These open, grassy areas provide habitat for an assemblage of grassland bird species such as the state species of special concern, Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda). State Game Land #82 occupies the southeastern corner of the township. No IMAs or IBAs are found within this township. Garrett Mud Flats BDA A mosaic of reclaimed surface mines, hayfields, and small wetlands form the core for this BDA that

supports breeding pairs of Upland Sandpipers (Bartramia longicauda) and Northern Harriers (Circus cyaneus), state bird species of special concern; and purple-fringeless orchid (Platanthera peramoena), a plant species of special concern. The supporting landscape of this BDA is the immediate watershed surrounding the core habitat. The site is principally a hayfield interspersed with wet depressions and emergent vegetation. Some limestone mining is active at the southern end and a small, active, mowed airstrip forms the northern boundary. Two ponds, in addition to four settling ponds from mining activities, are within the site. Most of the reclaimed surface mine is actively managed to maintain grassland areas using periodic late winter burns. Dominant plant species include Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris), tamarack (Larix sp.), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), goldenrod (Solidago sp.), milkweed (Asclepias sp.), crown vetch (Coronilla varia), vetch (Vicia sp.), deer-tongue grass (Panicum clandestinum), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and Timothy grass (Phleum pratense). Grassland bird species observed during the breeding season include Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla), Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus), Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna), and Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis). A wide variety of shorebirds have also been observed at the site during migration. The Upland Sandpiper is still numerous within the core of its range in the central and northern Great Plains, but has suffered major historical declines as a result of over-hunting and habitat loss and degradation. More recently, Breeding Bird Survey data indicate a 20 per cent decline from 1980-2000,

across all regions (NatureServe 2005). This Neotropical migrant shorebird is considered a Pennsylvania threatened species. Preferred habitat for the Upland Sandpiper consists of short grassy areas for feeding and courtship interspersed with tall grasses for nesting and brood cover (Houston and Bowen 2001). In many northeastern states, airfields currently provide the majority of suitable habitat, although grazed pastures and grassy fields are also used as nesting areas. Changes in farming practices, development, and reforestation are responsible for the steady decline in the Northeast, averaging 0.80% annually over the last decade (Houston and Bowen 2001). The Northern Harrier, a short distance migrant, is considered widely but locally distributed in North America and is a candidate at risk species in Pennsylvania. The species uses both wetland and upland habitats including marshy meadows; wet, lightly grazed pastures; old fields; freshwater and brackish marshes; dry uplands including upland prairies and mesic grasslands; and drained marshlands. Most nests are built within patches of dense, tall, vegetation (e.g., cattails) in undisturbed areas (MacWhirter and Bildstein 1996). Nesting sites are chosen based on their availability and the abundance of prey (small mammals and birds) in adjacent areas. In the northeastern U.S., declines are attributed primarily to loss of open habitats from reforestation, the filling of wetlands, urban and industrial development (Serrentino 1992) and human disturbance at nest sites. Page 51 41 CONEMAUGH TOWNSHIP Conemaugh Township, which includes Benson Borough, forms the northwestern corner of Somerset

County and shares a border with Westmoreland County to the west and Cambria County to the north. Stonycreek River flows south along the eastern border and Quemahoning Reservoir occupies a large portion of the southern tip of the township. More than half (67%) of the township is forested, with nearly all of these forested lands falling along the eastern slope of Laurel Hill within Laurel Ridge State Park and State Game Land #42 west of the North Fork Reservoir of Bens Creek (Table 4). The Pennsylvania Game Commission has identified the Quemahoning Reservoir as a significant staging area for migratory waterfowl. Chestnut Ridge/Laurel Ridge IMA is located along Laurel Hill. State Game Land #42 LCA This Natural Heritage Area is discussed under the Landscape-scale Conservation Areas section. Page 52 42 Page 53 43 Elk Lick Township & Salisbury Borough Big Spring Run BDA High Point Lake Page 54 44 Elk Lick Township & Salisbury Borough PNDI Rank Legal Status Global State Federal State Last Seen Quality

NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS: Big Spring Run BDA Exceptional Significance creeping bluets (Houstonia serpyllifolia) G4 S1 -5/30/2003 C spring run community GNR S1S2 ---E Christner Bog BDA Exceptional Significance special animal G5 S2S3 --- 8/27/2003 A stiff cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior) G5 S2 -TU 8/13/2003

E Tennessee golden-rod (Solidago roanensis) G4G5 S2 -PR 8/13/2003 C nonglacial bog community GNR S3 ---E High Point Lake BDA High Significance white monkshood (Aconitum reclinatum) G3 S1 -PE 8/13/2003 C/D spring run community GNR S1S2 ---E

High Point Lake Road BDA High Significance Tennessee golden-rod (Solidago roanensis) G4G5 S2 -PR 8/13/2003 E Isers Run BDA Exceptional Significance stiff cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior) G5 S2 -TU 6/19/2003 B so. water shrew (Sorex palustris punctulatus) G5T3 S1 -PT 4/6/1985 B special animal (special animal 1) G5 S2S3 --- 6/19/2003 B special animal (special animal 2) G4

S1 --- 6/19/2003 B special animal (special animal 3) G4 S1S2 --- 6/19/2003 B exceptional value stream GNR S3 ---E Mt Davis BDA Exceptional Significance Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister) G3G4 S3 -PT 6/15/1993 E Tennessee golden-rod (Solidago roanensis) G4G5 S2 --

PR 8/13/2003 BC Old Fish Hatchery Spring BDA High Significance Appalachian blue violet (Viola appalachiensis) G3 S2 -PT 6/25/1986 B creeping bluets (Houstonia serpyllifolia) G4 S1 -N 6/6/2002 B special animal (special animal 1) G5 S2S3 --- 5/16/1986 AB spring run community GNR S1S2 ----

E Page 55 45 Elk Lick Township & Salisbury Borough (continued) PNDI Rank Legal Status Global State Federal State Last Seen Quality NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS: Ringer Hill BDA High Significance mountain bellwort (Uvularia pudica) G5 SH -TU 5/26/2004 E Salisbury Mine Site BDA Exceptional Significance Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) G2 S3B LE PE 1/25/1999 E eastern small-footed myotis (Myotis leibii) G3 S1B --

PT 2/7/2001 C northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) G4 S1N --2/7/2001 B winter bat colony (bat hibernaculum) GNR S3N --2/7/2001 B Tub Mill Run BDA High Significance Appalachian blue violet (Viola appalachiensis) G3 S2 -PT 5/16/1986 B Upper Tub Mill Run BDA High Significance so. water shrew (Sorex palustris punctulatus) G5T3 S1

-PT 8/17/1989 B Wolf Rock Road BDA High Significance Tennessee golden-rod (Solidago roanensis) G4G5 S2 -PR 8/13/2003 B Glade Mountain LCA Exceptional Significance ------Sand Spring Ridge LCA Exceptional Significance ------OTHER CONSERVATION AREAS: Forbes State Forest/Mt Davis Section IMA

Salisbury Mine IMA GEOLOGIC FEATURES: Mt Davis (erosional remnant) Page 56 51 Recommendations Forest cover is important in maintaining the microhabitat conditions and the food sources utilized by Allegheny woodrats. Oak trees are especially important because of the mast they provide and should not be removed. Fragmentation and disturbance within the area should be avoided. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has developed further recommendations regarding management of woodrat habitat, which are listed under Fairhope Slopes BDA on page 60. Workers involved in roadside maintenance within the site should be informed of the presence of the Tennessee goldenrod. The application of herbicides should be avoided and mowing should not occur until after plants have flowered and seeds have matured so as to ensure a viable seed bank for the next generation. Non-native, invasive plants should be removed if possible. In addition, the State Forest Resource Management Plan proposes that the Mt Davis Natural Area, plus additional acreage within the Negro Mountain Division, be designated an old-growth zone with existing old growth protected and strategies implemented for increasing the oldgrowth system. This designation will strengthen protection for this area. Old Fish Hatchery Spring BDA Seepage wetland habitat occupied by the globally rare Appalachian blue violet (Viola appalachiensis), the state rare creeping bluets (Houstonia serpyllifolia), and an animal species of special concern forms

the core of this BDA. The supporting landscape of this BDA is the immediate watershed surrounding the spring run community. The Appalachian blue violet is regionally endemic to Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania and is considered globally vulnerable despite the fact that it is abundant at some locations. The violet is listed as imperiled in the state though it is likely that many new occurrences will be discovered since it is believed by several botanists that the species is often overlooked and more common than initially thought (Grund, pers. comm.). Habitats for the Appalachian blue violet include rich moist woods, mountain coves, stream banks, pastures, and mowed areas such as lawns in rural areas. See the Appalachian blue violet fact sheet on page 149 for more information on this species. Creeping bluets are uncommon, but not globally rare. This species somewhat scattered distribution extends for approximately 500 miles along the southern and central Appalachians from Georgia to Pennsylvania, the northern extent of its range (NatureServe 2005). Creeping bluets are considered critically imperiled in the state and have only been recorded in Somerset and Fayette Counties (Rhoads and Klein 1993). Habitats for this diminutive plant includes streambanks, grassy balds, moist forests, seepy rock outcrops, spray cliffs, and moist disturbed areas such as pastures; growth can be improved if the soil is organically rich (Weakley 1996). The immediate watershed surrounding the core of this BDA is important in helping to maintain water quality, as well as providing an area within which these species of special concern can disperse. Threats and Stresses Activities that impact the quality of streambank habitat, such as timber harvesting along the stream and

road building in upland areas of the supporting landscape, are potential threats to creeping bluets and the animal species of concern. The animal species of concerns life cycle includes both terrestrial and aquatic phases; therefore, water pollution can harm the larvae and clearing of streambank vegetation removes habitat for adults. Herbicide spraying and mowing by road maintenance crews should be carefully managed due to the proximity of a road to the species locations. Threats to Appalachian blue violet are minimal since this plant appears to be disturbance related and often overlooked. However, direct alteration or destruction of habitat is a concern. Displacement by invasive exotic plant species that typically colonize disturbed habitats may be a threat. Page 57 52 Recommendations Activities such as road development and timber harvesting should not be conducted in core areas of this site. However, if such activities cannot be eliminated, the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) can prevent or minimize the impact of non-point source pollution from these activities on water quality. For example, a forested riparian buffer of at least 50 meters on either side of the stream should be maintained (U.S. Forest Service 1991). Workers involved in roadside maintenance within the site should be informed of the presence of the rare plant species. The application of herbicides should be avoided and mowing should not occur until after plants have flowered and seeds have matured so as to ensure a viable seed bank for the next generation. Non-native, invasive plants should be removed if possible. Ringer Hill BDA

The core of this BDA consists of a forested upper slope of Ringer Hill that supports a population of mountain bellwort (Uvularia pudica), a state rare plant species. The site is primarily upland deciduous headwater forest near a hemlock ravine along a gently sloping, southeast facing slope. Dominant species at the site are eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), yellow birch (Betula allegheniensis), and sugar maple (Acer saccharum); Other species observed include red oak (Quercus rubra), white oak (Q. alba), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), sassafras (Sassafras albidum), red maple (Acer rubrum), striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum), devil's walking stick (Aralia spinosa), mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum), painted trillium (Trillium undulatum), partridgeberry (Mitchella repens), princess-pine (Lycopodium obscurum), starflower (Trientalis borealis), swamp-dewberry (Rubus hispidus), ladys slipper (Cypripedium sp.), wild yam (Dioscorea sp.), wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), sedges (Carex folliculata, Carex communis), Indian cucumber root (Medeola virginiana), blueberry (Vaccinium sp.), greenbriar (Smilax sp.), intermediate wood fern (Dryopteris intermedia), New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis), hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula), and bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinium). The range for mountain bellwort is wide and includes the eastern U.S. except for Florida and New England. In Pennsylvania, this species has only been recorded in Somerset and Westmoreland Counties and was previously considered historic. Since new populations were found in Somerset County, its rank has been changed to one representing extreme rarity in the state. The mountain bellwort inhabits dry, mid-

elevation forests near trails and roads. All occurrences in the county, with the exception of this population at Ringer Hill, were found in ridgetop acidic oak forest with a heath understory close to a trail or road. See the mountain bellwort fact sheet on page 56 for more information on this species. Threats and Stresses The largely contiguous forest supporting this population of mountain bellwort is in good condition and there appears to no threats to the forest community at this time. Future timber harvesting may degrade habitat that supports the plant species depending on forest management practices used at the site. Recommendations The current condition of this forest community meets the ecological needs of mountain bellwort. However, the plant population should be monitored for signs of deer browsing. Salisbury Mine Site BDA The core of this BDA is designated around an abandoned limestone mine that is used as a hibernaculum by three bat species: the federally endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), the globally rare eastern Page 58 53 small-footed myotis (Myotis leibii), and the state rare northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis). The supporting landscape for this BDA includes forested areas and riparian corridors within two km of the mine. Although the eastern small-footed myotis has a range that extends from New England, southeastern Ontario, and southwestern Quebec south and west to Arkansas, Kentucky, and Virginia, it is considered vulnerable globally. Within this range, the distribution is very spotty and the bulk of the occurrences and largest populations are in New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia. In Pennsylvania, it is

considered an extremely rare species making it especially vulnerable to extirpation from the state. The northern myotis has a range in the east that extends from southern Canada south through the mountains to the north central panhandle of Florida. It is most abundant in the northern part of the range but relatively rare across its range both in terms of hibernacula and in summer foraging and maternity areas (NatureServe 2005). In Pennsylvania, northern myotis is considered a vulnerable species, but this rank may be changed and the species no longer tracked based on recent mist-netting data (Butchcoski, pers. comm.). See the Indiana bat fact sheet on page 25 for information on this species. All three bat species are generally associated with forested communities and hibernate in caves, mines, and tunnels (Barbour and Davis 1969). The principal requirements of a suitable hibernaculum are winterlong, low temperatures above freezing; high humidity; and lack of disturbances, both natural (floods) and anthropogenic (visitation) (Barbour and Davis 1969, Hitchcock 1949). During the summer, the bats that hibernate in the cave require habitat for roosting and foraging. In general, bat species roost under the bark of trees, and forage along streams and forest edges. The suitable physical structures for roosting are most often found in mature trees or dead snags. Foraging typically occurs in forested habitats, above and below the canopy and over forest clearings and occasionally over water. Threats and Stresses Cave-hibernating bats can be negatively impacted by disturbances, such as foot traffic, at their hibernaculum during the winter months of November through April. Even low levels of noise, heat, or light can be sufficient to disturb them. If bats are wakened from hibernation, they may exhaust energy

reserves needed to survive upon emerging in the spring and starve to death. Physical disturbance of the rock surrounding the mine or the mine entrance could alter environmental conditions within, making the site unsuitable for use as a hibernaculum. Reduction of forest cover, especially along riparian corridors, may reduce habitat area for roosting and feeding for the bats. Recommendations The Pennsylvania Game Commission can provide the best and most current management recommendations for bats. Considerations may include appropriate forest management to maintain contiguous forest that includes the older trees needed by the bats, avoiding the release of pesticides within the habitat area to maintain the bats food supply and prevent them being poisoned by toxic compounds in the food supply, and maintaining a tall forest buffer along roads to prevent bat road kills (a low canopy may cause bats to fly into the path of traffic). Hibernacula must be protected from disturbance during November through March. If human traffic is a problem, installation of a bat gate can be used to regulate access. Avoid locating new wind farms on ridges near the vicinity of mine. Within the core area, blasting or other bedrock disturbances should be avoided. Further assessment of what areas are being used as summer habitat by bats hibernating in the cave will be useful in guiding conservation of this population. Generally, maintaining and cultivating forest cover will increase the amount of available habitat for bats. This site is entirely within the Salisbury Mine IMA and a description plus additional conservation concerns regarding the bat hibernaculum are given under this section on page 176. Page 59 54 Tub Mill Run BDA

An abandoned pasture that is part of an active dairy farm within a lower mountain valley is the core for this BDA occupied by a large colony of Appalachian blue violet (Viola appalachiensis), a global and state rare plant species. The habitat along Tub Mill Run is a mixture of herbs, grasses, scattered trees and woodlots on a gentle slope of an upper floodplain. A plowed crop field is immediately west of the pasture and a local road is just upslope of the site. Approximately one mile upstream is an active surface mine. The Appalachian blue violet is regionally endemic to Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania and is considered globally vulnerable despite the fact that it is abundant at some locations. The violet is listed as imperiled in the state though it is likely that many new occurrences will be discovered since it is believed by several botanists that the species is often overlooked and more common than initially thought (Grund, pers. comm.). Habitats for the Appalachian blue violet include rich moist woods, mountain coves, stream banks, pastures, and mowed areas such as lawns in rural areas. See the Appalachian blue violet fact sheet on page 149 for more information on this species. Threats and Stresses Threats to Appalachian blue violet are minimal since this plant appears to be disturbance related and often overlooked. However, direct alteration or destruction of habitat is a concern. Displacement by invasive exotic plant species that typically colonize disturbed habitats may be a threat. Herbicide spraying and mowing by road maintenance crews should be carefully managed due to the proximity of a road to the species location. Recommendations Non-native, invasive plants should be removed if possible. Workers involved in roadside maintenance

within the site should be informed of the presence of the rare species. The application of herbicides should be avoided and mowing should not occur until after plants have flowered and seeds have matured so as to ensure a viable seed bank for the next generation. Upper Tub Mill Run BDA Upper Tub Mill Run and adjacent riparian habitat form the core for this BDA occupied by the southern water shrew (Sorex palustris punctulatus), an animal species of special concern. This species inhabits streambank habitats that are well shaded and composed of large rocks with numerous crevices along cold, clear, fast-running waters with deep pools. Dominant overstory trees along the rocky to sandy banks of the stream are eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), birch (Betula sp.), and maple (Acer sp.). Understory is comprised of maples and musclewood (Carpinus caroliniana) and herb layer consists of blackberry (Rubus sp.), ferns, and greenbriar (Smilax sp.). Several log dams and exposed roots of trees are found along the stream. This BDA is entirely within the Forbes State Forest/Mt Davis Section IMA and designation is based primarily on the occurrence of southern water shrews in at least four streams that lie east, west, and north of Mt Davis. Threats and Stresses Given that this BDA is entirely on state forestland, additional logging and road construction pose the greatest threat to southern water shrews found at the site. These activities are likely to cause a decline in water quality (increased siltation, higher water temperatures due to removal of forest canopy) of streambank habitats that would be detrimental to this species. Other potential threats to the site include pollution from abandoned coalmines and oil and gas wells, and contamination from sewage treatment

Page 60 55 system failures associated with developments bordering the State Forest along the lower elevation portions of streams. Recommendations Activities such as road development and timber harvesting should not be conducted in core areas of this site. However, if such activities cannot be eliminated, the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) can prevent or minimize the impact of non-point source pollution from these activities on water quality. For example, a forested riparian buffer of at least 50 meters on either side of the stream should be maintained (U.S. Forest Service 1991) to protect the quality of the stream for all species of concern. See Forbes State Forest/Mt Davis Section IMA on page 175 for additional conservation concerns regarding the southern water shrew. Page 61 81 Lincoln Township Spruce Flats Bog BDA Page 62 82 Lincoln Township PNDI Rank Legal Status Global State Federal State Last Seen Quality NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS: Spruce Flats Bog BDA High Significance

bushy St. John's-wort (Hypericum densiflorum) G5 S3 -PT 8/14/2003 E OTHER CONSERVATION AREAS: Chestnut Ridge/Laurel Ridge IMA GEOLOGIC FEATURES: none Page 63 83 LINCOLN TOWNSHIP Lincoln Township, the fourth smallest township in Somerset County, is located in the upper half of Somerset County and bound to the west by Westmoreland County and Laurel Hill. The township is forested (53%) along the eastern slope of Laurel Hill where land is in public ownership (Forbes State Forest and two state parks) (Table 4). Steep, forested slopes and southeasterly flowing mountain streams characterize the landscape. Pasture and hay fields prevail to the east making this township the second in percentage of agricultural development in the county (Table 4). Chestnut Ridge/Laurel Ridge IMA is located along Laurel Hill. Spruce Flats Bog BDA This BDA was identified as part of the Westmoreland County Natural Heritage Inventory (1998) and encompasses Spruce Flats Bog, a nonglacial bog community at the top of Laurel Summit, that supports bushy St. John's wort (Hypericum densiflorum), a state rare plant species. The 28-acre bog is the

dominant feature of the Spruce Flats Wildlife Management Area, a tract of 305 acres located in the Forbes State Forest along the Somerset/Westmoreland County line. The original plant community at the site was palustrine hemlock forest situated in a shallow depression of resistant sandstone. Trees were cut in 1908 (and misidentified as spruce) causing the water table to rise and the community to convert to a late successional bog littered with stumps and some open water. Dominant species within the bog are cranberry and blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), huckleberry (Gaylussacia sp.), round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea) (introduced from other sites), sphagnum mat (Sphagnum sp.), haircap (Polytrichum sp.), soft rush (Juncus effusus), cottongrass (Eriophorum sp.), and other species more typical of plant communities of the northern U.S.. Both planted and native trees are present. Non-natives include jack pine (Pinus banksiana), red pine (Pinus resinosa), and northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis). A logging road crosses the site and an old railroad bed leads into the wetland. A population of bushy St. Johns wort was observed along a pipeline right-of-way that crosses the bog. Forest interior birds observed include Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) and Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus). Bushy St. Johns wort is uncommon in Pennsylvania, but not globally rare. Its range extends from New Jersey to central Alabama and it reaches the northern extent of its range in the mountains of southwestern Pennsylvania. Habitats for bushy St. Johns wort include low boggy places, seepage slopes, pond and lake borders, wet meadows, streambanks, roadside ditches, moist pinelands, rocky streambanks, and swampy bogs. Threats and Stresses

This site, located within the Forbes State Forest, is under no imminent threat. All management activities in the Spruce Flats Wildlife Management Area surrounding Spruce Flats Bog are specifically directed toward improving wildlife habitat. A few small clearings have been cut in the forest to provide additional food and cover, but these do not appear to have impacted the local hydrology or degrade habitat that supports bushy St. Johns wort. Wildlife censuses, such as mammal track counts made after snowstorms and bird surveys conducted by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, monitor the response of wildlife to these management practices. Recommendations The Spruce Flats Wildlife Management Plan, developed in the 1970s, contains guidelines on managing the bog for wildlife. The management plan should be updated to include recommendations that protect the nonglacial bog community and meet the ecological needs of bushy St. Johns wort. Page 64 84 Page 65 Mountain bugbane (Cimicifuga americana) What it looks like: Mountain bugbane is a perennial herb that grows from one to one and a half meters tall. Leaves are compound, with terminal leaflets large, toothed, and deeply cleft; other leaflets oval to wedge-shaped with sharply defined teeth. All leaflets are less than 10 centimeters long. Flowers: a slender raceme (up to 30 centimeters tall) of tiny white flowers; no petals; short-lived sepals; most conspicuous feature is the spray of many white stamens;

strong foul odor attracts flies for pollination; flowers open from base upward on spike. Can be distinguished from the very similar looking species, black bugbane (Cimicifuga racemosa), because it has three or more carpels instead of one, and because of its stalked seed pods. Rita Hawrot, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Where it is found: Mountain bugbane grows in rich hardwood forests, often in the same habitat as hemlock, on north-facing mountainsides or the wooded corridors that follow mountain streams. It is restricted to the central Appalachians, from Pennsylvania south to Georgia and as far west as Illinois. Why it is rare: Mountain bugbane is primarily endangered by development of its habitat, but populations have also suffered from harvesting pressure. Although mountain bugbane is not particularly valuable in itself, its similar-looking relative black bugbane is a highly sought-after medicinal herb. Between 300,000 and 500,000 pounds of black bugbane were collected from the wild for sale in 1999, and some of this was almost certainly mountain bugbane. Conservation considerations: North American State/Province Conservation Status Much is still unknown about where mountain bugbane grows and how secure its existing populations are. Information about how often it is collected with black bugbane would greatly aid conservation efforts. Given present information, habitat conservation is what this species needs

most. Map by NatureServe SX presumed extirpated S1 critically imperiled S2 imperiled S3 vulnerable SH possibly extirpated S4 apparently secure S5 secure Not ranked/under review State/Province Status Ranks NatureServe conservation status ranks: G4 considered vulnerable worldwide; S3 imperiled in Pennsylvania References: Gleason, Henry A. and Arthur Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second ed. New York: The New York Botanical Garden. 49. NatureServe. 2004. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 4.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. (Accessed 23 February 2005). United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2005. The PLANTS Database [web application]. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. Available at http://plants.usda.gov. Accessed 23 February 2005. 90 Page 66 91

Cranberry Glade Lake BDA The core of this BDA is Cranberry Glade Lake and immediate adjacent habitat that supports a nesting pair of the state threatened Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) and an animal species of concern. The supporting landscape of this BDA is the immediate watershed surrounding the reservoir. The lake is a 112-acre shallow reservoir within State Game Land #111 that is managed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) for warm and cool water game fish populations. Over-winter drawdowns of the lake were discontinued in the 1990s because they did not result in the intended reduction of submerged aquatic vegetation. The reservoir is surrounded by deciduous forest to the west and north, meadow and mowed lawns with a gravel parking lot and boat launch to the east, and dam overflow to the south. Dominant species in the meadow are swamp-dewberry (Rubus hispidus), blue vervain (Verbena hastata), boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), jewelweed (Impatiens sp.), arrow-arum (Peltandra virginica), ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), pondweed (Potamogeton sp.), dodder (Cuscuta sp.), arrow-leaved tearthumb (Polygonum sagittatum), Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), water-horehound (Lycopus uniflorus), mad-dog skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), self heal (Prunella vulgaris), wrinkle-leaf goldenrod (Solidago rugosa), Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota), rattlesnake manna-grass (Glyceria canadensis), wool-grass (Scirpus cyperinus), sedge (Carex lurida), three-way sedge (Dulichium arundinaceum), and soft rush (Juncus effusus). Dominant tree species within adjacent forest include planted eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris), and Norway spruce (Picea abies); and black cherry (Prunus serotina), white oak (Quercus alba), and red oak

(Q. rubra). Osprey is a Neotropical migrant bird species with a range that is widespread and increasing. Its main breeding range extends from northern Canada south to the Great Lakes states and along Atlantic and Gulf Coasts to Florida. More scattered populations breed along inland rivers and lakes. The species is considered imperiled in the state, although its population may be increasing due in part to active management by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Habitat requirements for Osprey vary between sites, but must include an adequate supply of accessible live fish within commuting distance of nest (10 20 km); shallow waters (0.52 meters deep) which generally provide most accessible fish; and open nest sites free from predators (Poole et al. 2002). Reservoirs, such as Cranberry Glade Lake, which provide ample expanses of shallow, clear water, have ideal conditions for hunting. Like other fish-eating birds, the Osprey generally defends only nest sites, not feeding territories. The supporting landscape area of this BDA is important in helping to maintain water quality of the lake used by the Osprey and the animal species of concern. See the Osprey fact sheet on page 136 for more information on this species. Threats and Stresses Any factor that would decrease water quality of the lake at this site would impact both the nesting Osprey and the animal species of concern. The animal species of concerns life cycle includes both terrestrial and aquatic phases; therefore, water pollution can harm the larvae and clearing of streambank vegetation removes habitat for adults. Non-point source pollution from agricultural development upslope from the lake and timber harvesting within forested areas along the lake are the greatest threats to water quality.

Acid precipitation may affect fauna residing in the lake. At the national level, Osprey are recovering in many areas following severe declines resulting from organochlorine biocide use. However, organochlorines and other contaminants are still contributing to eggshell thinning and low hatching success in some populations (Steidl et al. 1991). General threats to Osprey include death by gunshots, steel traps, impact with or electrocution by high-tension wires, and being caught or drowned in nets (Wiemeyer et al. 1980, cited in Henny and Anthony 1989). Page 67 92 Recommendations Since agriculture is the primary land use in the immediate watershed of this BDA, riparian buffers adjacent to streams and roads should be established to limit input of sediment and agricultural nutrients to the lake. Remaining forest cover in the immediate watershed surrounding the lake should be left intact because alterations in light levels and temperature along the perimeter of the lake could alter the hydrology of the site. Fishing is the primary recreational activity at Cranberry Glade Lake and boats with electric motors are permitted. Human disturbance near the nest platform should be kept to a minimum during the nesting period (months of June and July) when Ospreys are most sensitive to intrusions. Tolerance levels of human activity near nests are too variable for guidelines to be broadly applied. The PFBC and Pennsylvania Game Commission, agencies responsible for management of the lake and its surrounding property, are aware of the Osprey nest. Humbert Floodplain BDA Vernal pool habitat, floodplain forest and adjacent slopes along Laurel Hill Creek on State Game Land

#111 form the core for this BDA that supports populations of the globally rare Appalachian blue violet (Viola appalachiensis), and state rare mountain bugbane (Cimicifuga americana) and stiff cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior). The supporting landscape of this BDA is the immediate watershed surrounding this section of Laurel Hill Creek. Forest community at the site is birch-maple-hardwood. Dominant canopy and shrub species include yellow birch (Betula allegheniensis), red maple (Acer rubrum), sugar maple (A. saccharum), yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), black cherry (Prunus serotina), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum), silky dogwood (Cornus amomum), ironwood (Ostrya virginiana), and spicebush (Lindera benzoin). Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), swamp-dewberry (Rubus hispidus), rough bedstraw (Galium asprellum), dwarf ginseng (Panax trifolium), club moss (Lycopodium sp.), meadow rue (Thalictrum sp.), hellebore (Epipactis helleborine), large-flowered trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), greenbriar (Smilax sp.), rattlesnake-root (Prenanthes alba), foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia), Joe-pye weed (Eupatorium fistulosum), sessile-leaved bellwort (Uvularia sessilifolia), bulrush (Scirpus sp.), northeastern manna-grass (Glyceria melicaria), fowl manna-grass (Glyceria striata), troutlily (Erythronium americanum), anemone (Anemone sp.), poverty rush (Juncus tenuis), poison-ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), flat top aster (Aster umbellatus), and a variety of fern species were common in the herbaceous layer. Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens), a pair of Louisiana Waterthrushes (Seiurus motacilla) displaying agitated behavior, and a

drumming Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) were observed at the site. Egg masses of spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) were found in vernal pools. Floodplain forest of Laurel Hill Creek with vernal pools interspersed throughout provide habitat for Appalachian blue violet. This species is regionally endemic to Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania and is considered globally vulnerable despite the fact that it is abundant at some locations. The violet is listed as imperiled in the state though it is likely that many new occurrences will be discovered since it is believed by several botanists that the species is often overlooked and more common than initially thought (Grund, pers. comm. 2004). See the Appalachian blue violet fact sheet on page 149 for more information on this species. A relatively small population of mountain bugbane was found along a seep on a forested slope. Although this species is relatively common at particular locations in the Laurel Highlands, it is considered vulnerable in the state because of its restricted range. Mountain bugbane is primarily endemic to the southern and central Appalachian region from northern Georgia to western Pennsylvania and is considered globally uncommon and speculated to be declining (NatureServe 2005). See the mountain bugbane fact sheet on page 90 for more information on this species. A back channel wetland within the forested floodplain of Laurel Hill Creek provides habitat for a very small Page 68 93 population of stiff cowbane, a globally secure but state imperiled species. This species is found throughout the eastern U.S., except for New England, where it occupies a variety of wetland habitats. Threats and Stresses

The Pennsylvania Game Commission manages core habitat and more than half of the supporting landscape habitat for these rare species. Such ownership protects the site from development, but does not guarantee management for species of special concern or protection from invasive species. Future timber harvesting, road expansion or maintenance, and off-road vehicle usage may degrade habitat that supports the plant species. The largely contiguous forest found within this BDA ensures the high quality of the floodplain and vernal habitats. Vernal pools are especially vulnerable to disruptions to the forest in the surrounding landscape since they are fed by surface runoff from the entire watershed area above them. It has been shown that habitat disturbance within 500 meters of a pond may impact amphibian populations associated with the vernal pools (Semlitsch et al. 2003). Two invasive species, Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) were found at the site. Displacement by invasive exotic plant species that typically colonize disturbed habitats, such as floodplain forest, may be a threat. Recommendations Land Manager should be made aware of species of special concern locations and land use activities in core areas should be avoided if practical alternatives exist. Habitat requirements for rare plant species should be incorporated into management plans for this game land. Activities such as road development and timber harvesting should not be conducted in core areas of this site. However, if such activities cannot be eliminated, the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) can prevent or minimize the impact of non-point source pollution from these activities on water quality. For example, a forested riparian

buffer of at least 50 meters on either side of Laurel Hill Creek and a 500 meters buffer of vernal pools should be maintained (U.S. Forest Service 1991). Non-native, invasive plants within the site should be controlled if possible. Youghiogheny River BDA The Youghiogheny Gorge and the natural communities within are unique within the county and beyond. The continuousness and diversity of the habitats and the prominent natural processes that have and continue to shape the Youghiogheny drainage are the key features of this BDA. Rocky, flood-scoured flats, moist channels, alluvial islands, and steep forested slopes along the north side of the Youghiogheny River form the BDA that supports five plant species of special concern and the globally rare Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister). The five rare plants found within this BDA are largeflowered marshallia (Marshallia grandiflora), creeping bluets (Houstonia serpyllifolia), Carolina tassel-rue (Trautvetteria caroliniensis), New England grape (Vitis novae-angliae), and buffalo-nut (Pyrularia pubera). Areas where these rare plants were found are dominated by red oak (Quercus rubra), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), white ash (Fraxinus americana), red maple (Acer rubrum), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum), multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), hawthorn (Crataegus sp.), smooth alder (Alnus serrulata), smooth azalea (Rhododendron arborescens), dogwood (Cornus sp.), mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), sedge (Carex torta), southern arrow-wood (Viburnum dentatum), fox grape (Vitis labrusca), Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), sphagnum (Sphagnum sp.),

trefoil (Desmodium sp.), False Solomon's-seal (Smilacina racemosa), Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), may-apple (Podophyllum peltatum), coastal plain Joe-pye weed (Eupatorium dubium), violet (Viola sp.), goldenrod (Solidago sp.), greenbriar (Smilax sp.), wild yam (Dioscorea sp.), meadow rue (Thalictrum sp.), hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula), cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), turkeyfoot (Andropogon geradi), stiff aster (Aster linariifolius), wild indigo (Baptisia tinctorium), and Page 69 94 royal fern (Osmunda regalis). The Youghiogheny Valley, Ohiopyle State Park IBA is partially contained within this BDA. See page 173 for more information on this IBA. The flood-scoured banks of the Youghiogheny River provide habitat for large-flowered marshallia and creeping bluets. The globally and locally rare large-flowered marshallia is endemic to the Appalachians and the Cumberland Plateau, where it now occurs in only 11 watersheds in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee (NatureServe 2005). Habitat for this species is wet sandy soil, in sandy/cobbley alluvium or in bedrock crevices along flood-scoured banks of large, high-gradient rivers in the central Appalachians. The species is also reported from rocky lakeshores, creek banks, bluffs and floodplains and tends to flower most prolifically in open sunlight (NatureServe 2005). Marshallia is one of several eastern regional endemics and rarities known to be nearly or virtually restricted to floodscoured riverbank habitats. See the large-flowered marshallia fact sheet on page 96 for more information on this species. The second rare plant found at this habitat type, creeping bluets, are uncommon, but not

globally rare. This species somewhat scattered distribution extends for approximately 500 miles along the southern and central Appalachians from Georgia to Pennsylvania, the northern extent of its range (NatureServe 2005). Creeping bluets are considered critically imperiled in the state and have only been recorded in Somerset and Fayette Counties (Rhoads and Klein 1993). Habitats for this diminutive plant includes streambanks, grassy balds, moist forests, seepy rock outcrops, spray cliffs, and moist disturbed areas such as pastures; growth can be improved if the soil is organically rich (Weakley 1996). Carolina tassel-rue, New England grape, and buffalo-nut were found in open, sparsely vegetated, rocky, floodplain forest and moist channels within the extensive river flats of the Youghiogheny River. Carolina tassel-rue is a widespread and common species within its range that includes the eastern U.S. except for New England. In Pennsylvania, the plant has only been documented in three counties Somerset, Fayette, and Allegheny (Rhoads and Klein 1993) and is considered vulnerable. Carolina tasselrue habitats include streambanks, mesic slopes, moist woods, wooded seepages slopes, and bogs. New England Grape is found in northeastern U.S. and is considered uncommon globally and is a critically imperiled species in Pennsylvania. It has only been recorded in the southwestern part of the state (Rhoads and Klein 1993) and is found in moist mountain woods, roadside thickets, and ravines. The third rare plant species found in the open floodplain habitat, buffalo-nut, is a widespread and common shrub of the southeast U.S. with a range extending north to New York. It is considered vulnerable in the state because of its rarity at the northern extent of its range; the species has only been observed in Somerset, Fayette and Westmoreland

Counties. Buffalo-nut inhabits open, rich, mesic woods and thickets where it is parasitic on the roots of deciduous trees and shrubs as well as hemlocks in parts of its range. It prefers a variety of soils (sandy, loamy, and clay) that are well drained and acidic or neutral. The Allegheny woodrat occurrence is one of the criteria for the delineation of the Chestnut Ridge/Laurel Ridge IMA. Woodrat habitat at this site includes a steep river gorge of the Youghiogheny River with Loyalhanna limestone outcrop. Slope is 150%, aspect is 200 degrees, and vegetative cover is mature deciduous forest with sparse or grazed shrub layer. Dominant plant species are sugar maple (Acer saccharum), chestnut oak (Quercus prinus), basswood (Tilia americana), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), red oak (Quercus rubra), and white oak (Q. alba). The woodrat nests in rocky habitats to avoid predators, and forages nocturnally for leaves; berries; nuts (particularly acorns); the stalks and fruits of pokeweed; the fruits of sassafras, dogwood, mountain ash, cherry, red maple, and serviceberry; ferns and other plants; and fungi (Fergus 2000). See the Allegheny woodrat fact sheet on page 158 for more information on this species. Threats and Stresses The greatest threats to large-flowered marshallia and the other four rare plant species are altered flooding regime that leads to changes in natural communities within the floodplain of the river and residential/industrial development along the river corridor. Periodic flooding and its accompanied Page 70 95 scouring and deposition of sand, rock and gravel keep the rock-sand-cobble alluvium bars, islands and

banks open to colonization by a number of unique species that require open habitats yet free of invading woody species and aggressive weed species. Any changes to the flooding/deposition would threaten these rare species habitats (NatureServe 2005). Increased competition for resources by invasive exotic plant species, which typically colonize disturbed habitats, also poses a major threat to these plant species. Invasive species such as Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), Japanese spirea (Spirea japonica), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) and garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) are present in many spots along the river. In addition to outcompeting rare species, these exotic species, especially Japanese knotweed, shade out nearly all other vegetation, decreasing the stability of stream banks and creating conditions that make these compromised areas more susceptible to erosion. Direct impact from recreational use is of concern in specific areas. Frequent or intensive use of riverside areas could impact plants of special concern and lead to changes in vegetation cover that would encourage colonization by aggressive exotic species. Allegheny woodrat populations are declining and a variety of factors have been shown to be contributing to their decline. Some populations appear to have suffered heavy mortality from the raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis). The raccoon roundworm is rarely fatal to raccoons, but can cause cerebrospinal nematodiasis in other species (Kazacos 1983). Raccoons are habitat generalists that tolerate or even benefit from habitat fragmentation and disturbance. Human-caused fragmentation and disturbance have likely created conditions that increase the exposure of woodrats to the parasite and thus led to woodrat population declines. Another factor that may play a role in the decline is change in the

availability of viable food resources. Chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica), oak infestation by gypsy moths (Lymantria dispar), changes in forest composition due to increased deer herbivory, and shortrotation forest management may have significantly reduced the amount of hard mast food that is available to the woodrat (Hassinger et al. 1996, Castleberry 2000). Weather may also play a role in the decline since the sharpest drops in populations have occurred in the northern part of the range, and records in Pennsylvania and West Virginia suggest that below normal winter temperatures in the past 30 years have coincided with the shrinkage in range (NatureServe 2005). Strip mining of coal and limestone may degrade viable woodrat habitat and isolate populations. Other conservation concerns regarding the Allegheny woodrat are given on page 175 under the IMA section. Recommendations Water levels in the Youghiogheny River are now, to some large extent, regulated by releases from the Youghiogheny Reservoir. Municipal water supplies downstream demand water and growing recreational use on the river may play a role in coordinating water releases. Along with the imperatives given to these uses, the maintenance of natural communities and ecological systems need to be taken into consideration with the release of water from the reservoir. The requirements of these natural systems will need to be better researched and evaluated. The frequency and duration of flooding prior to dam construction may provide guidance in efforts to reestablish some approximation of natural hydrological cycles. Any further development in the near vicinity that directly disturbs floodplains or introduces invasive species should be avoided. Measures should be taken to control any non-native species present within the site. Forest cover

is important in maintaining the microhabitat conditions and the food sources utilized by Allegheny woodrats. Oak trees are especially important because of the mast they provide and should not be removed. Fragmentation and disturbance within the area should be avoided. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has developed further recommendations regarding management of woodrat habitat, which are listed under Fairhope Slopes BDA on page 60. Page 71 Large-flowered marshallia (Marshallia grandiflora) What it looks like: Large-flowered marshallia is a 20 to 90 centimeter perennial herb growing singly or in clusters from a low caudex, or woody base. Leaves are narrowly oblong and tapering, with three parallel veins. Near the bottom of the stem each leaf has a short petiole, but farther up they are attached directly to the main stem. Flowers are small, white or pale purple, and tubular, clustered in discshaped heads at the apex of each main stem. Where it is found: Large-flowered marshallia grows in wet forests or meadows and on stream banks throughout central Appalachia from Pennsylvania south to Tennessee. Historically, it also grew in North Carolina, but it seems to have been extirpated from that state; it is expected to occur in Maryland, but no populations have been documented. It tolerates partial shade, but flowers best in direct sunlight, and is most commonly found in habitat that has been scoured by flooding. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Why it is rare: Large-flowered marshallia is known to occur in only 11 watersheds within its range, and many of these watershed-wide occurrences are

really collections of several very small, widely scattered populations. A few watersheds in West Virginia have populations totaling in the thousands, but these are threatened by flood control projects. SX presumed extirpated S1 critically imperiled S2 imperiled S3 vulnerable SH possibly extirpated S4 apparently secure S5 secure Not ranked/under review State/Province Status Ranks North American State/Province Conservation Status Map by NatureServe Conservation considerations: NatureServe identifies the two greatest threats to large-flowered marshallia as (1) changes to the normal flooding regime in its habitat and (2) a lack of protection for existing populations. Periodic flooding along rivers and streams produces ideal habitat for marshallia to colonize by depositing fresh soil and scouring away nonnative competitors, so any human efforts to control natural flooding can seriously impact this species. NatureServe conservation status ranks: G2 imperiled worldwide; S1 critically imperiled in Pennsylvania References

 Gleason, Henry A. and Arthur Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second ed. New York: The New York Botanical Garden. 543. NatureServe. 2004. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 4.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. Accessed 23 February 2005. United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2005. The PLANTS Database [web application]. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. Available at http://plants.usda.gov. 96 Page 72 97 Middlecreek Township & Seven Springs Borough Barronvale BDA Laurel Hill State Park BDA Page 73 98 Middlecreek Township & Seven Springs Borough PNDI Rank Legal Status Global State Federal State Last Seen Quality NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS: Barronvale BDA High Significance Appalachian blue violet (Viola appalachiensis) G3 S2 -PT 5/8/2003

C Blue Hole Run BDA Exceptional Significance mountain bugbane (Cimicifuga americana) G4 S3 -PT 9/9/2003 B stiff cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior) G5 S2 -TU 9/9/2003 D exceptional value stream GNR S3 ---E Jones Mill Run BDA Exceptional Significance stiff cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior) G5 S2 -TU 9/3/2003 D

mountain bugbane (Cimicifuga americana) G4 S3 -PT 9/2/2003 E special animal (special animal 1) G4 S3S4 --- 6/17/2003 B exceptional value stream GNR S3 ---E Laurel Hill State Park BDA High Significance Appalachian blue violet (Viola appalachiensis) G3 S2 -PT 5/13/2004 B creeping bluets (Houstonia serpyllifolia) G4 S1 --

N 8/24/2001 E mountain bugbane (Cimicifuga americana) G4 S3 -PT 9/3/2003 E purple-fringeless orchid (Platanthera peramoena) G5 S2 -TU 7/21/2004 E OTHER CONSERVATION AREAS: Chestnut Ridge/Laurel Ridge IMA GEOLOGIC FEATURES: none Page 74 99 MIDDLECREEK TOWNSHIP Middlecreek Township includes the Borough of Seven Springs and extends from the Fayette County line and Laurel Hill north to Jones Mill Run, an exceptional value stream. The western half of the township is largely forested public lands (Forbes State Forest, two state parks) and includes the Chestnut Ridge/Laurel Ridge IMA. A series of mountain streams, including Blue Hole Creek, an exceptional value stream, drain much of the township before entering Laurel Hill Creek. Seven Springs Resort occupies the

northwestern corner of the township and agricultural development is largely restricted to the southeastern corner. Barronvale BDA This BDA was designated around open roadside habitats that support an extensive population of Appalachian blue violet (Viola appalachiensis), a global and state rare plant species. Plants were found growing in well-drained, regularly mowed lawns at the tops of roadcuts. Associated species are those common to open, disturbed areas and lawns including yarrow (Achillea millefolium), sedge (Carex blanda), daisy fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus), ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea), hawkweed (Hieracium sp.), yellow wood-sorrel (Oxalis stricta), English plantain (Plantago lanceolata), cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis), golden ragwort (Senecio aureus), veronica (Veronica sp.), and violet (Viola sp.). The surrounding landscape is a mixture of young and maturing forests with residences interspersed throughout. Laurel Hill Creek is northeast of the site. The Appalachian blue violet is regionally endemic to Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania and is considered globally vulnerable despite the fact that it is abundant at some locations. The violet is listed as imperiled in the state though it is likely that many new occurrences will be discovered since it is believed by several botanists that the species is often overlooked and more common than initially thought (Grund, pers. comm. 2004). Habitats for the Appalachian blue violet include rich moist woods, mountain coves, stream banks, pastures, and mowed areas such as lawns in rural areas. See the Appalachian blue violet fact sheet on page 149 for more information on this species. Threats and Stresses

Threats to Appalachian blue violet are minimal since this plant appears to be disturbance related and often overlooked. However, direct alteration or destruction of habitat is a concern. Displacement by invasive exotic plant species that typically colonize disturbed habitats may be a threat. Herbicide spraying by road maintenance crews should be carefully managed due to the proximity of a road to the species location. Recommendations Non-native, invasive plants should be removed if possible. Workers involved in roadside maintenance within the site should be informed of the presence of the rare species. The application of herbicides should be avoided and mowing should not occur until after plants have flowered and seeds have matured so as to ensure a viable seed bank for the next generation. Blue Hole Run BDA Riparian forest along Blue Hole Run, an exceptional value stream in the Forbes State Forest, forms the core of this BDA that supports two state rare plant species, mountain bugbane (Cimicifuga americana) and stiff cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior). The supporting landscape of this BDA is the immediate watershed surrounding this section of Blue Hole Run. Forest community is second growth maplebirch-basswood with little shrub layer and lots of ferns. Dominant species are yellow birch (Betula allegheniensis), sugar Page 75 100 maple (Acer saccharum), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), basswood (Tilia americana), red oak (Quercus rubra), black cherry (Prunus serotina), white ash (Fraxinus americana), elm (Ulnus sp.), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum),

rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum), blackberry (Rubus sp.), jewelweed (Impatiens sp.), Joe-pye weed (Eupatorium fistulosum), Aster sp., violet (Viola sp.), goldenrod (Solidago sp.), white snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum), greenbriar (Smilax sp.), trillium (Trillium sp.), smartweed (Polygonum pensylvanicum), coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), self heal (Prunella vulgaris), wild yam (Dioscorea sp.), bee balm (Monarda didyma), buttercup (Ranunculus sp.), clover (Trifolium sp.), mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum), turtlehead (Chelone glabra), jack-in-the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), intermediate wood fern (Dryopteris intermedia), New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis), Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), and cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea). A Bureau of Forestry road runs parallel to the stream. Mountain bugbane was found in several locations on lower seepage slopes of Blue Hole Run across the road from the stream. Although this species is relatively common in particular locations within the Laurel Highlands, it is considered vulnerable in the state because of its restricted range. The species is primarily endemic to the southern and central Appalachian region from northern Georgia to western Pennsylvania and is considered globally uncommon and speculated to be declining (NatureServe 2005). See the mountain bugbane fact sheet on page 90 for more information on this species. A small population of stiff cowbane, a globally secure but state imperiled species, was found in streambank habitat a few meters from the edge of Blue Hole Run. This species is found throughout the eastern U.S., except for New England, where it occupies a variety of wetland habitats including swamps, bogs, sedge meadows, sandy shores, wet soils along streams, fens, wet prairies, moist bluffs, and abandoned railroad beds. Forested

upland habitat within the immediate watershed surrounding the core of this site is important in maintaining the quality of riparian habitats for these species. Threats and Stresses The natural communities and species that inhabit these mountain streams depend upon high water quality, regulation of light and temperature levels provided by forest cover, and the input of detritus and other organic material supplied from a forest. This BDA, located within the Forbes State Forest, is under no imminent threat since the Bureau of Forestry is aware of the presence of these rare species. The largely contiguous forest that surrounds this BDA ensures the high quality of the riparian habitats. However, given the roadside location of these populations, road maintenance and roadside spraying of herbicides may pose a threat to the rare plants at this site. At a larger scale, mountain bugbane may be facing incidental collection and subsequent decline due to its resemblance to the widely collected black cohosh (C. racemosa) (NatureServe 2005). This species also appears to be facing specific habitat development pressure in mountainous areas in the eastern U.S. (Nature Serve 2005). Recommendations Workers involved in roadside maintenance within the site should be informed of the presence of the two rare plant species and the application of herbicides should be avoided. Timber harvesting or road building should be limited in forested habitat upslope of the plants. Activities such as road development and timber harvesting should not be conducted in core areas of this site. However, if such activities cannot be eliminated, the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) can prevent or minimize the impact of nonpoint source pollution from these activities on water quality. For example, a forested riparian buffer of at

least 50 meters on either side of the stream should be maintained (U.S. Forest Service 1991). Marking and dyeing roots of targeted populations of mountain bugbane may be a viable means for protecting the species from being collected along with publicizing the need for conservation and protection of wild herbs (NatureServe 2005). Page 76 101 Jones Mill Run BDA This Natural Heritage Area is discussed under Jefferson Township. Laurel Hill State Park BDA This BDA is within the boundary of Laurel Hill State Park, a 3,935-acre park popular for picnicking, hunting, hiking, fishing, and boating. Core habitats are designated around open floodplain forest of Laurel Hill Creek and adjacent wetlands and slopes occupied by globally rare Appalachian blue violet (Viola appalachiensis), and state rare creeping bluets (Houstonia serpyllifolia), mountain bugbane (Cimicifuga americana), and purple fringeless orchid (Platanthera peramoena). The supporting landscape of this BDA is the immediate watershed surrounding this section of Laurel Hill Creek. Open floodplain forest and mowed grassy areas in the park provide habitat for the Appalachian blue violet, a regionally endemic species to Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The violet is considered globally vulnerable and is listed as imperiled in the state although it is abundant at some locations. It is likely that many new occurrences will be discovered since it is believed by several botanists that the species is often overlooked and more common than initially thought (Grund, pers. comm. 2004). Habitats for the Appalachian blue violet include rich moist woods, mountain coves, stream

banks, pastures, and mowed areas such as lawns in rural areas. See the Appalachian blue violet fact sheet on page 149 for more information on this species. Steambank habitat along Laurel Hill Creek provides habitat for creeping bluets, an uncommon, but not globally rare species. This species somewhat scattered distribution extends for approximately 500 miles along the southern and central Appalachians from Georgia to Pennsylvania, the northern extent of its range (NatureServe 2005). Creeping bluets are considered critically imperiled in the state and have only been recorded in Somerset and Fayette Counties (Rhoads and Klein 1993). Habitats for this diminutive plant includes streambanks, grassy balds, moist forests, seepy rock outcrops, spray cliffs, and moist disturbed areas such as pastures; growth can be improved if the soil is organically rich (Weakley 1996). Mountain bugbane was found within a mature oak-maple-hemlock forest with an understory of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) and rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) along a seep near a park road. Although mountain bugbane is relatively common at particular locations in the Laurel Highlands, it is considered vulnerable in the state because of its restricted range. The species is primarily endemic to the southern and central Appalachian region from northern Georgia to western Pennsylvania and is considered globally uncommon and speculated to be declining (NatureServe 2005). Mountain bugbane inhabits mesic, northern hardwoods-eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) forest along slopes with seeps and streambank edges in the northern portion of its range (NatureServe 2005). See the mountain bugbane fact sheet on page 90 for more information on this species. Purple-fringeless orchid populations are dispersed along wetlands on the western shore of Laurel Hill Lake, a man-made reservoir, and in a small

emergent wetland near a picnic area. Purple-fringeless orchid is a state imperiled species with a range that includes all of the eastern U.S. except New England and Florida. This species is found in bogs, wet meadows, low woods, wet fields, low wetlands, and ditches. Threats and Stresses Threats to Appalachian blue violet are minimal since this plant appears to be disturbance related and often overlooked. However, direct alteration or destruction of habitat is a concern. Displacement by invasive exotic plant species that typically colonize disturbed habitats may be a threat. Activities that impact the quality of streambank habitat, such as timber harvesting along the stream and road building in upland areas of the supporting landscape, are potential threats to creeping bluets. Herbicide spraying and mowing by road maintenance crews may impact mountain bugbane at this site since this occurrence is in close Page 77 102 proximity to a park road. At a larger scale, mountain bugbane may be facing incidental collection and subsequent decline due to its resemblance to the widely collected black cohosh (C. racemosa) (NatureServe 2005). Orchids are highly specialized and typically associated with a specific set of habitat conditions related to nutrient availability, sunlight, and water. Purple fringeless orchid populations may be disturbed by recreational activities along the shoreline of Laurel Hill Lake where plants were found. Vegetation is already disturbed due to foot traffic, although saturated soils at times may discourage this activity. Flooding may also pose at threat to this plant species. Recommendations The surrounding upland landscape area of this BDA is important in helping to maintain water quality of

Laurel Hill Lake and the health of floodplain and wetland habitats. Activities such as road development and timber harvesting should not be conducted in core areas of this site. However, if such activities cannot be eliminated, the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) can prevent or minimize the impact of non-point source pollution from these activities on water quality. For example, a forested riparian buffer of at least 50 meters on either side of the stream should be maintained (U.S. Forest Service 1991) and care should be taken to not alter the hydrology of wetland pockets where the purple-fringeless orchid was observed. Non-native, invasive plants should be removed if possible. Workers involved in roadside maintenance within the site should be informed of the presence of rare species and application of herbicides should be avoided and mowing should not occur until after plants have flowered and seeds have matured. Marking and dyeing roots of targeted populations of mountain bugbane may be a viable means for protecting the species from being collected along with publicizing the need for conservation and protection of wild herbs (NatureServe 2005). Page 78 103 Milford Township, New Centerville & Rockwood Boroughs Page 79 104 Milford Township, New Centerville Borough & Rockwood Borough PNDI Rank Legal Status Global State Federal State Last Seen Quality NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS:

South Glade Creek Wetlands BDA Notable Significance purple-fringeless orchid (Platanthera peramoena) G5 S2 -TU 8/13/1996 B stiff cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior) G5 S2 -TU 8/1/2003 E OTHER CONSERVATION AREAS: none GEOLOGIC FEATURES: none Page 80 105 MILFORD TOWNSHIP Milford Township is located in the west-central portion of the county and includes the Boroughs of New Centerville and Rockwood. The township is bound to the west by Middle Creek, to the east by Coxes Creek, and to the south by the Casselman River. As with other municipalities that lie east of Laurel Hill, this township has a great deal of agricultural development and surface mines, especially in the center of the township. The township has the least amount of forest of any municipality in Somerset County (Table 4). No managed lands, IMAs or IBAs are found within its borders. South Glade Creek Wetlands BDA

The core of this BDA is shrub/graminoid wetland habitat that is bisected by a maintained pipeline rightof-way occupied by purple-fringeless orchid (Platanthera peramoena) and stiff cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior), plant species of special concern. Associated plant species for purplefringeless orchid are thinleaf alder (Alnus incana), common elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), arrow-leaved tearthumb (Polygonum sagittatum), jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), American manna-grass (Glyceria grandis), fowl manna-grass (G. striata), and giant ironweed (Vernonia gigantea). Stiff cowbanes associated plant species include hawthorn (Crataegus sp.), giant ironweed (Vernonia gigantea), grass-leaved goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia), boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), soft rush (Juncus effusus), and tussock sedge (Carex stricta). Supporting landscape of this BDA is the immediate watershed surrounding the wetland. Both rare plant species were found scattered in wetland pockets along the pipeline right-of-way. Purplefringeless orchid is a state imperiled species with a range that includes all of the eastern U.S. except New England and Florida. This species is found in bogs, wet meadows, low woods, wet fields, low wetlands, and ditches. Stiff cowbane is found throughout the eastern U.S., except for New England, and occupies a variety of wetland habitats including swamps, bogs, sedge meadows, sandy shores, wet soils along streams, fens, wet prairies, moist bluffs, and abandoned railroad beds. The upland habitat within the immediate watershed surrounding the core wetland habitat of this BDA is important in helping to maintain water quality and wetland health for these plant species. Threats and Stresses

Owner is aware of the presence of these two rare plant species and has been maintaining right-of-ways by mowing, not herbicide application. Mowing in habitats where rare plants occur is a potential threat. Recommendations Activities such as herbicide application and mowing should not be conducted in wetland pockets of core areas where plant species occur. Maintenance of the pipeline right-of-ways should continue to be restricted to mowing. Mowing should not occur until after plants have flowered and seeds have matured, in order to ensure a viable seed bank for the next generation. Page 81 131 Somerset Township & Borough Appalachian blue violet (Viola appalachiensis), Kimberly Run Natural Area BDA Page 82 132 Somerset Township & Borough PNDI Rank Legal Status Global State Federal State Last Seen Quality NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS: Buck Swamp BDA Exceptional Significance stiff cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior) G5 S2 -TU 8/20/2003

D purple-fringeless orchid (Platanthera peramoena) G5 S2 -TU 8/20/2003 E Kimberly Run Natural Area BDA Exceptional Significance Appalachian blue violet (Viola appalachiensis) G3 S2 -PT 5/15/2003 C stiff cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior) G5 S2 -TU 9/9/2003 E special animal G5 S3S4 --- 7/17/2002 E Lake Somerset BDA High Significance osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

G5 S2B -PT 6/15/2003 E S. Penn RR Tunnel Berlin BDA Notable Significance winter bat colony (bat hibernaculum) GNR S3N --- 2/16/1999 E OTHER CONSERVATION AREAS: Allegheny Mountain IMA Kimberly Run Natural Area IMA Lake Somerset IBA GEOLOGIC FEATURES: none Page 83 133 SOMERSET TOWNSHIP Somerset Township, which includes the county seat, Somerset Borough, is the third largest municipality in Somerset County and has the most residential or commercial development in the county (Table 4). Approximately half of the township is in forest and half is in agricultural development and surface mines (Table 4). Most of the forested areas are found within State Game Land # 59 in the southern portion of the township. Kimberly Run drains the southern half of the township; Wells Creek drains the northeastern

portion; and the West Branch of Coxes Creek drains the western part of the township. Somerset County Conservancys Kimberly Run Natural Area and the Kimberly Run IMA occupy the southern corner of the township. Keywords: U.S.A., Report, project on conservation and natural resources, Cited, definition of ecosystem, S.A.Ostroumov, Community and Economic Development, Conservation and Natural Resources, Wild Resource Conservation, Pennsylvania